Validity Flashcards
What is validity?
To the extent to which a test actually tests what it claims to. It’s accuracy
What is internal validity?
The study itself and whether the researcher has measured what they intended to. If questionnaire is about happiness, then how happy someone is should’ve been measured.
How to improve internal validity?
Anything that influences the DV that isn’t the IV then it reduces internal validity. To improve internal validity try to minimize the effects of extraneous variables
What is external validity?
To how well the findings of the study can be generalized outside of study itself.
What are types of external validity?
-Ecological validity
-Population validity
-Temporal validity
What is ecological validity?
To how well the findings can be generalized outside of that setting. How realistic is the study.
Natural experiment will be more realistic than a lab experiment due to not being controlled therefore having higher ecological validity
What is population validity?
To how well the results can be generalized outside of the sample of participants used in study
What is temporal validity?
How well the findings of a study can be generalized to different time periods
How to deal with validity issues?
A pilot study can be used to test validity of research and ensure that variables have been appropriately operationalised. Takes a small sample of participants allowing to talk about their experience the study. Provides crucial information about demand characteristics, investigator bias and design of the study. This allows for problems can be changed and dealt with before study begins
What is researcher bias and investigator effects?+ how to overcome
The researcher is aware of the hypothesis they may give cues to the participants on how to respond. To overcome this the researcher could recruit assistants to run their study for them.
What is demand characteristics?+ how to overcome
Research involves direct interactions between researcher and participant. They know that they are being studied therefore behave different and give different answers. To overcome this the researcher could deceive the participants by not telling them the aim of research, therefore they don’t know what they are being studied on therefore can’t expect and change behaviour.
What is social desirability?+ how to overcome
When participant alters their behaviour or responses to portray themselves in a way that is desirable to society. To overcome this researcher can provide guarantee of information gained being kept confidential.
