Midterm #1 - Measurement and Variables

Question 1

conceptual definitions

Answer 1

• help us understand what a construct means but don’t tell us how to quantify the construct

Question 2

variables

Answer 2

• actual representation of the construct

Question 3

nominal (data)

Answer 3

• data recognized with no inherent order

Question 4

ordinal (data)

Answer 4

• data categorized and ranked

Question 5

continuous (data)

Answer 5

• interval: categorized, ranked, and evenly spaced
• ratio: categorized, ranked, evenly spaced, natural zero

Question 6

construct

Answer 6

• concept
• can’t be directly observed
• abstract

Question 7

operational definition

Answer 7

• specific and concrete
• represent a construct

Question 8

ways to measure behaviour

Answer 8

• observe it: naturalistic, get records, unobtrusive
• ask about it: self-report, informant

Question 9

psychometrics

Answer 9

• scientific discipline concerned with measurement

Question 10

condition a (data entry)

Answer 10

• baseline

Question 11

condition b (data entry)

Answer 11

• intervention

Question 12

quasi-independent variable

Answer 12

• treated as IV but not manipulated

Question 13

quasi-experimental designs

Answer 13

• researcher can’t manipulate IV or use random design

Question 14

self-report

Answer 14

• directly ask participants when observation not possible
• cheap and easy but could have bias

Question 15

behavioural trace

Answer 15

• relies on evidence left behind by a person who isn’t present
• drawing inferences

Question 16

behavioural observation

Answer 16

• relies directly on seeing or observing behaviour
• better if participants don’t know

Question 17

behavioural choices

Answer 17

• involves participants making a purposeful selection from several options

Question 18

random error

Answer 18

• variation from the measure’s true score due to unsystematic or chance factors
• measured with stats

Question 19

bias/systematic error

Answer 19

• varies systematically or consistently pushes scores higher/lower in a way that leads to inaccurate/misleading conclusions

Question 20

standardization

Answer 20

• environmental situation same for everyone

Question 21

observer/scorer bias

Answer 21

• misinterpreting an observation based on the researcher’s existing belief, previous experiences, or expectations

Question 22

ceiling effect

Answer 22

• occurs when upper boundary of a measurement tool is set too low

Question 23

floor effect

Answer 23

• occurs when lower boundary of a measurement is set too high

Question 24

reliability

Answer 24

• stability/consistency of a measure

Question 25

validity

Answer 25

• the degree to which a tool measures what is claims to measure

Question 26

if you fail to establish ______ you can’t have _______

Answer 26

• reliability
• validity

Question 27

population

Answer 27

• entire group of interest in a research study
• sample drawn

Question 28

sample

Answer 28

• a subset of the population
• where data is collected

Question 29

representative sample

Answer 29

• a sample with specific features that characterize the population of interest

Question 30

probability sampling

Answer 30

• everyone in a population has an equal chance to participate

Question 31

simple random sampling

Answer 31

• subset of individuals is randomly selected from population members

Question 32

stratified random sampling

Answer 32

• dividing population into strata or subpopulations
• use simple random sampling to select participants

Question 33

cluster random sampling

Answer 33

• dividing the total population into groups
• use simple random sampling to select which clusters participate

Question 34

non-probability sampling

Answer 34

• everyone in the population doesn’t have an equal chance of being sampled

Question 35

convenience sampling

Answer 35

• nonrandom selections of participants who are readily available to the researcher to serve as the sample

Question 36

quota sampling

Answer 36

• freely choosing any participant as long as they help meet predetermined targets for sample’s characteristics

Question 37

purpose sampling

Answer 37

• sample chosen based on who researcher thinks is the most qualified

Question 38

snowball sampling

Answer 38

• existing study participants recruit future participants from among their acquaintances

Question 39

nonresponse bias

Answer 39

• a potential systematic difference between those who refuse to participate and those who don’t

Question 40

the volunteer subject problem

Answer 40

• likely a bias with only volunteers