Validity Flashcards
What is validity
How accurate something is, whether the study has measured what it intends to measure and whether the results can be generalised
What is internal validity
Whether the findings are accurate and the effects on the DV have been caused by the IV
What is external validity
Whether the study shows real-life behaviour, and if the findings could be applied to different places, times and people
What is mundane realism
Whether a task is similar to everyday activities
What are the three issues of validity
Researcher bias - the research directly or indirectly influences the results of a study, by design or conduction of research or analysis of data
Demand characteristics - a confounding variable where participants work out the aim of the study and act differently
Either social desirability bias or ‘screw you effect’
How can you deal with the issues of validity
Double-blind procedure which will reduce researcher bias and demand characteristics
Single-blind reduces social desirability and demand characteristics in participants. Helpful in repeated measures designs
Giving participants anonymity and confidentiality can overcome social desirability issues, asking face-to-face questions can also reduce the chance of participants lying
Having field research and realistic tasks can also increase validity
What is face validity (external validity)
The degree to which a test looks like what it claims to measure
eg. If a questionnaire on stress asks questions about stress
What is predictive validity
The extent to which a score on a scale or test predicts scores on some criterion measure
eg. High IQ scores can predict academic performance
What is content validity (internal validity)
The content of a test/measurement represents the area of interest. Checked by carrying out a systematic analysis of the measuring tool
What is concurrent validity (internal validity)
Checking the new measurement tool measures behaviour equally to an existing validated measuring tool of the same behaviour
What is construct validity (internal validity)
The extent to which a test measures an identified underlying construct. A test looking stress has questions linked to the definition of stress
What is population validity
Whether the sample used is representative of the target population and so whether results can be generalised to that target population
What is ecological validity
Whether the study setting reflects normal real life and so whether results can be generalised to a real life setting
