Psychology validity definitions

Question 1

Investigator bias

Answer 1

the researchers may record data and interpret it in a way that supports their hypothesis without realising or meaning to

Question 2

Investigator effects

Answer 2

something about the investigator has an effect on the behaviour of the participant e.g. gender, age, body language, tone of voice,

Question 3

participant effects

Answer 3

all participants will react differently to a situation, some will try to co-operate and some will try to jeopardise the experiment which can affect the validity

Question 4

demand characteristics

Answer 4

cues in the research study that which convey the hypothesis to the participants, this will cause the participants to guess the aim of the study and change their behaviour accordingly

Question 5

What is a double blind technique?

Answer 5

concealing from the participants and the research assistants which participant is assigned to which condition

Question 6

When would a double blind technique be used?

Answer 6

reduce investigator effects