research methods: objectivity, reliability, validity Flashcards
1
Q
reliability
A
- refers to consistency of findings from research, an important criterion for being scientific
2
Q
test-retest reliability
A
- if findings are consistent, and can be considered reliable, we can trust that findings will happen again and again. in order to achieve reliability, research must be replicable.
- requires very tight controls over extraneous variables that, if not controlled, could result in different findings when study is repeated
3
Q
objectivity
A
- the need to be impartial and judgement free
4
Q
problems of being objective
A
- in psychology we are dealing with humans and animals which are more difficult to measure objectively
- psychology is a science, it aims to be objective
- the goal of scientific research is to gain an objective view of something that can be established as value-free and factual
- if something is subjective, is it based on opinion not fact
5
Q
what are the three types of validity?
A
- internal
- predictive
- ecological
6
Q
what is internal validity?
A
- how well the procedure of a study establishes a causal relationship between the manipulated iv and measured dv, or whether it has been confounded by uncontrolled extraneous variables
- internal validity can be ensured by using standardised procedures, controlling for order effects and individual differences and avoiding demand characteristics
- high internal validity means that the differences found between groups on the dv in an experiement were directly related to what the researcher did to the iv and not due to some other variable (confounding variable)
7
Q
what is predictive validity?
A
- the extent to which the performance on the measure can predict future performance on a similar criterion
- e.g. if test of intelligence can accurately predict future academic success then it has predictive validity
8
Q
what is ecological validity?
A
- extent to which the research can be generalised e.g. real life or everyday situations
