Validity

Question 1

Outline internal validity

Answer 1

Whether effects observed in experiment due to manipulation of IV & not other factor
Major threat = demand characteristics

Question 2

Outline ecological validity

Answer 2

Concerns generalising findings from study to other settings, mostly to irl
If task used to measure DV in experiment isn’t like irl (lacks mundane realism) causes lower EV

Question 3

Outline temporal validity

Answer 3

Whether findings from particular study, or concepts within particular theory hold true over time
E.g. original Asch experiments were product of particularly conformist era in recent USA history

Question 4

What are ways of assessing validity?

Answer 4

Face validity
Concurrent validity

Question 5

Outline face validity

Answer 5

Whether test, scale or measure appears ‘on face’ of it measures what it’s supposed to measure
Determined by simply ‘eyeballing’ measuring instrument or passing to an expert to check

Question 6

Outline concurrent validity

Answer 6

When results very close to or match those obtained on another recognised/well-established test
E.g. New intelligence test administered to group of parties & IQ scores achieved compared with performance on well-established test (e.g. Stanford-Binet test)

Question 7

How do we improve validity on experiments?

Answer 7

Control group - researcher better able to assess whether changes in DV due to effect of IV
Standardise procedures - minimise impacts of parti reactivity & investigator effects on validity of outcome
Single&double-blind - reduces effects of demand characteristics & investigator effects

Question 8

How do we improve the validity of questionnaires

Answer 8

Incorporate lie scale within questions to assess consistency of respondent’s response & control effects of SDB
Further enhanced by assuring respondents all data submitted remain anonymous

Question 9

How do we improve the validity of observations

Answer 9

Covert observation - behaviour observed likely to be natural & authentic
Behavioural categories too broad/overlapping/ambiguous may have negative impact on validity of data collected

Question 10

How do we improve qualitative research?

Answer 10

Interpretive validity - extent to which researcher’s interpretation of events matches participants’
Can be demonstrated through coherence of researcher’s narrative & inclusion of direct quotes from parties within report
Further enhanced through Triangulation - use of number of different sources as evidence, e.g. data compiled through through interviews with friends & family, etc.