Measurement Concepts

Question 1

Behavior

Answer 1

Anything an organism does that can be measured.

Question 2

Measurement

Answer 2

The assignment of scores to individuals so that the scores represent some characteristic of the individuals.

Question 3

Variable

Answer 3

Any characteristic or condition that can vary or be manipulated, controlled, or measured in research.
Must have at least two levels (values).

Question 4

Conceptual Definition

Answer 4

Explains the meaning of a variable or concept in theoretical terms, describing what it represents abstractly or generally.

Question 5

Operational Definition

Answer 5

A definition of a variable in terms of how it is precisely measured, such as using self-reports, behavioral observations, or physiological measurements.

Question 6

Self-Report Measures

Answer 6

Measures in which participants provide information about themselves, typically through questionnaires or interviews.

Question 7

Behavioral Measures

Answer 7

Measures that involve observing and recording behavior, either in structured tasks or in natural settings.

Question 8

Physiological Measures

Answer 8

Measures that involve recording physiological processes, such as heart rate, hormone levels, or brain activity.

Question 9

Converging Operations

Answer 9

The use of multiple operational definitions to measure the same construct, providing evidence that the construct is being measured effectively.

Question 10

Levels of Measurement

Answer 10

Four categories (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) that specify the types of information scores can have and the types of statistical procedures to use.

Question 11

Nominal Level

Answer 11

A level of measurement used for categorical variables, involving scores that are labels for different categories without any quantitative meaning.

Question 12

Ordinal Level

Answer 12

A level of measurement that involves scores representing the rank order of individuals but not equal intervals between ranks.

Question 13

Interval Level

Answer 13

A level of measurement using numerical scales with equal intervals between scores but no true zero point, such as temperature scales.

Question 14

Ratio Level

Answer 14

A level of measurement with equal intervals and a true zero point, allowing for statements about ratios, like weight or reaction time.

Question 15

Reliability

Answer 15

The consistency of a measure, including test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and interrater reliability.

Question 16

Test-Retest Reliability

Answer 16

The consistency of a measure over time, assessed by testing the same participants at two different times.

Question 17

Internal Consistency

Answer 17

The consistency of people’s responses across the items on a multiple-item measure, often assessed with split-half correlations or Cronbach’s alpha.

Question 18

Split-Half Correlation

Answer 18

A method of assessing internal consistency by dividing a test into two halves and comparing the consistency of scores across them.

Question 19

Cronbach’s α

Answer 19

A measure of internal consistency that reflects how well the items in a scale measure the same construct. Conceptually, α is the mean of all possible split-half correlations
for a set of items.

Question 20

Interrater Reliability

Answer 20

The extent to which different observers or raters agree in their measurements or judgments.

Question 21

Validity

Answer 21

The extent to which a measure accurately represents the variable it is intended to measure.

Question 22

Face Validity

Answer 22

The extent to which a measure appears to assess what it is intended to assess, based on a subjective judgment.

Question 23

Content Validity

Answer 23

The extent to which a measure covers the full range of the construct it aims to measure, ensuring it represents all aspects.

Question 24

Criterion Validity

Answer 24

The extent to which a measure is related to an outcome or criterion, indicating how well it predicts or reflects the criterion.

Question 25

Concurrent Validity

Answer 25

A type of criterion validity assessed when the measure and criterion are assessed at the same time.

Question 26

Predictive Validity

Answer 26

A type of criterion validity assessed by examining how well a measure predicts future outcomes or behaviors.

Question 27

Convergent Validity

Answer 27

The extent to which scores on a measure are correlated with scores on other measures of the same construct.

Question 28

Discriminant Validity

Answer 28

The extent to which a measure does not correlate with measures of different constructs, demonstrating it is distinct.