Validity

Question 1

Validity

Answer 1

Refers to whether a psychological test, observation, experiment e.t.c produces a result that is legitimate

Question 2

Internal validity

Answer 2

Questions the cause and effect relationship between the change the researcher made to the IV and the observed change in the DV

If DV was influenced by any other factor than the IV (due to a lack of control), the findings lack internal validity

Question 3

External validity

Answer 3

Questions if a study’s findings can be generalised beyond the study.

From the sample used to the target population and from the experimental set-up to other ‘real world’ settings and activities

Question 4

Internal validity: social desirability bias

Answer 4

Participants hide their genuine opinions/behaviours and instead act/respond in a more socially acceptable way to ‘look good’

Question 5

Internal validity: demand characteristics

Answer 5

Participants think they have discovered the aim and behave in a way they believe will produce results supporting the researcher’s theory

Question 6

External validity: ecological validity

Answer 6

The extent to which the findings of any particular study can be generalised to alternative environments

Question 7

External validity: temporal validity

Answer 7

The extent to which the findings of a study can be generalised to other time periods

Generally asked of older studies, questioning if the findings on topics like social influence, attachment, relationships and gender would be the same if researchers conducted the study in modern society

Question 8

External validity: population validity

Answer 8

The extent to which the sample used in the study is representative of the target population e.g gender, age, ethnicity, education level

Question 9

External validity: mundane realism

Answer 9

The extent to which the task/materials/activities used in an experimental set up are similar to the stimuli experienced in the real world

Question 10

3 ways to assess validity

Answer 10

Face validity
Concurrent validity
Predictive validity

Question 11

Face validity

Answer 11

Does it appear to measure what it claims to be measuring?

Question 12

Concurrent validity

Answer 12

The extent to which a psychological measure relates to an existing similar measure

Question 13

Predictive validity

Answer 13

The extent to which performance on a test can predict future performance/outcomes/behaviour

e.g GCSE scores are highly predictive of future A-level results

Question 14

Improving validity: Experimental methods

Answer 14

Using a control group, means that a researcher is better able to assess whether changes in the dependent variable were due to the effect of the IV e.g effectiveness of therapy study

Experimenters may standardise procedures to minimise the impact of participant reactivity and investigator effects on the validity of the outcome

In a double blind study a third party conducts the investigation without knowing its main purpose - reduces both demand characteristics and investigator effects thus improves validity

Question 15

Improving validity: Questionnaires

Answer 15

Many questionnaires and psychological tests incorporate a lie scale within in questions in order to assess the consistency of a respondent’s response and to control for the effects of social desirability bias

May be further enhanced by assuring respondents that all data submitted will remain anonymous

Question 16

Improving validity: Observations

Answer 16

May produce findings that have high ecological validity as there may be minimal intervention by the researcher. Especially the case if the observer remains undetected as in covert observations - behaviour of those observed is likely to be natural and authentic

Behavioural categories that are too broad, overlapping or ambiguous may have a negative impact on the validity of the data collected

Question 17

Qualitative research

Answer 17

Higher ecological validity than more quantitative, less interpretative methods of research. Due to the depth and detail associated with case studies and interviews, for instance, is better able to reflect a participant’s reality

Research may still have to demonstrate interpretive validity of their conclusions. Extent to which the researcher’s interpretation of events matched that of their participants. Demonstrated i.e through coherence of the researcher’s narrative and the inclusion of direct quotes from participants within the report

Validity is further enhanced through triangulation - the use of a number of different sources as evidence e.g personal diaries, observations e.t.c