Methodological Issues Flashcards
Methodological issues
This relates to the way the research is carried out in psychology. Methodological issues can relate to the sample selected, the way that behaviour is measured, the level of control included in the procedure, whether it was done in an ethical way, or anything else to do with the methodology.
Validity
Whether a piece of research is accurately measuring the concepts it intends to.
Ecological validity
Ecological validity refers to whether the measure of behaviour resembles real-life. This tends to be lower when lab experiments are used as it means behaviour is not very naturalistic.
Population validity
Population validity refers to whether the sample used in the research is diverse and representative (e.g. of different ages, genders, occupations, or backgrounds)
Construct validity
Construct validity refers to whether the study is really measuring what it is supposed to and whether extraneous variables (other factors that could affect the DV) are controlled for.
demand characteristics
Demand characteristics are cues given in an experiment which means that participants are able to work out the purpose of the study.
If this happens, participants are likely to change their behaviour and act in a way they think the researcher expects them to. This would lower the validity of the
Ethnocentrism
a belief, attitude or mindset that holds that one’s own ethnic group is superior to all others. A tendency to judge other cultures by the standards of one’s own (i.e. ethnocentrism means being centred on one ethnic group/culture)
reliability
Reliability refers to whether a study is measuring behaviour in a consistent way.
Internal reliability
Is the procedure being followed in a standardised way for all participants so it can be replicated (repeated)?
External validity
Is the sample large enough to suggest a consistent effect in the results?
