Task 3: Making observations and asking questions.

Question 1

When first defining a problem and choose variables, one must take into account the next 4 elements:

Answer 1

1. Research tradition = previous research + manipulating new independent variables.
2. Theory = research tradition + new measures + new behaviours.
3. Availability of new techniques.
4. Equipment (right measure).

Question 2

Reliability of a measure is ..

Answer 2

the ability to produce similar results when repeated measures are made under identical conditions.

Question 3

The margin of error is..

Answer 3

the precision of the estimate.

Question 4

When variables tend to change over time (e.g., IQ) ..

Answer 4

one has to administer the test twice and determine the correlation.

Question 5

The 4 steps for increasing reliability:

Answer 5

1. Increase number of items in the questionnaire.
2. Standardised administration procedures.
3. Scoring errors.
4. Items should be clear and appropriate for the sample.

Question 6

The accuracy of a measurement indicates

Answer 6

that results agree with a known standard (average score).

Question 7

Validity of a measure is..

Answer 7

the extent to which it measures what you intend it to measure.

Question 8

Types of validity:

Answer 8

1. Face v.
2. Content v.
3. Criterion related v.
4. Concurrent v.
5. Predictive v.
6. Construct v.

Question 9

Face validity

Answer 9

Does it test what it is aimed to test?

Question 10

Content validity

Answer 10

Appropriate content for the task.

Question 11

Criterion related validity

Answer 11

relationship to other measures / infer an individual’s value.

Question 12

Concurrent validity

Answer 12

Does it relate to a existent similar measure?

Question 13

Predictive validity

Answer 13

Does the test predict later performance?

Question 14

Construct validity

Answer 14

Does it relate to underlying theoretical concepts?

Question 15

When analysing the adequacy of a dependent measure, one must analyse..

Answer 15

1- the Sensitivity of the dependent measure (manipulation = effect?)
2- Range effects (floor or ceiling effects)
3- Tailoring your variable for you participants (understandable).

Question 16

The three types of dependent variables are:

Answer 16

Behavioural measures;
Physiological measures;
Self-report measures.

Question 17

Behavioural measures (recording the actual behaviour of your subjects) implies three steps:

Answer 17

1. Frequency of measure = count number of occurrences;
2. Latency = amount of time;
3. Number of error.

Question 18

A physiological measure requires..

Answer 18

special equipment to monitor the participant’s bodily functions.

Question 19

The different types of self-report measurements are:

Answer 19

Rating scale
Like scale
Q-sort methodology = sort into evaluative categories
Prospective verbal report = how A would react in a certain situation.
Retrospective situation = ask how A reacted in a certain situation (not reliable).

Question 20

Reactivity in research shows when

Answer 20

participants do not behave naturally, due to the acknowledgement of being studied.

Question 21

Demand characteristics are cues..

Answer 21

provided by the researcher that communicate the purpose of a study.

Question 22

A role attitude cue represents a..

Answer 22

change in a participant’s attitude because they feel like conforming to his/her new role as participant.

Question 23

The 4 pre-existing attitudes of a participant are:

Answer 23

Cooperative attitude = need to please the experimenter;
Defensive attitude = worried about the study;
Negative attitude = wants to ruin the experiment;
Apprehensive attitude = anxiety.

Question 24

The experimenter bias occurs when..

Answer 24

the behaviour of the experimenter influences the results of the experiment.

Question 25

Expectancy effects happen when..

Answer 25

the experimenter develops preconceived ideas about the capacities of the participant.

Question 26

Prevention of reactivity in research.

Answer 26

1. Single or Double Blind Technique;
2. Automate the experiment (increases precision of measurement and eliminates experimenter effects, but one can miss important results).

Question 27

Detecting and correcting problems with:

Answer 27

1- a pilot study

2- adding manipulation checks.

Question 28

Characteristics of observational study:

Answer 28

a. No control of the experimenter;

b. Looking at behaviour sequences rather than isolated events.

Question 29

One can quantify behaviour in an observational study via:

Answer 29

1. Frequency method = number of times;
2. Duration method = how long?
3. Interval method = divide obs. period into intervals and then record the x behaviour for each specific interval.

Question 30

How to observe behaviour:

Answer 30

1. Time sampling = alternate between periods of behaviour scanning;
2. Individually sampling = one subject at a time;
3. Event sampling = only one behaviour in all instances of an event.
4. Recording = use of a device for later analysis.

Question 31

Observer bias happens when..

Answer 31

the observations are influenced by the fact that the observer knows the aim of the study.

Question 32

The six non-experimental research design are:

Answer 32

1. Naturalistic observation = subject in natural environments;
2. Unobtrusive observations = let the object get used to you or hide;
3. Ethnography = become immersed in the social system;
4. Sociometry = measuring interpersonal relationships within a group;
5. Case history = observe on a single case;
6. Archival research = existing records.

Question 33

Types of surveys:

Answer 33

1. Field survey (directly question the participant about his/her behaviour with the help of criterion variables)
2. Internet survey
3. Telephone survey
4. Group administered survey
5. Face to face interview.