Validity Flashcards
What is validity?
Wether a study measures what it is supposed to measure
Validity is crucial in research to ensure accurate results.
What is internal validity?
The study measures what it is supposed to measure, and a causal relationship can be found
Internal validity ensures that results are due to the independent variable (IV).
What conditions need to be met for internal validity?
- No investigator effects
- No demand characteristics
- Standardised instructions
- Large, random samples
These conditions help control for extraneous variables.
What is concurrent validity?
A measure of how well a particular test correlates with a previously validated measure
For example, comparing a new intelligence test with Wechsler’s IQ test.
What is external validity?
Measures of generalisability beyond the research setting
This includes generalising to real life, the target population, or different periods.
What is face validity?
Degree to which a procedure appears effective in terms of its stated aims
It assesses whether a test seems to measure what it claims to measure.
What is ecological validity?
How well results of a study reflect real life
This type of validity assesses the applicability of findings to everyday situations.
What is population validity?
How representative of the target population the sample is
High population validity ensures that findings can be generalised to the wider population.
What is temporal validity?
Whether findings from research at one point in time accurately reflect behavior at a different point in time
Temporal validity is important for understanding how behavior changes over time.
What are demand characteristics?
Cues that influence participants’ behavior based on their perception of the study’s purpose
Can lead to biased results if participants alter their behavior to meet perceived expectations.
How can demand characteristics be addressed in research?
Using a single blind design
In this design, participants are unaware of the specifics of the research they are participating in.
What are investigator effects?
Cues from the investigator that encourage certain behaviors in participants
These effects can lead to results that align with the investigator’s expectations.
What is experimental realism?
The extent to which the experimental situation creates the same emotional involvement as real-life situations
Aims to enhance the authenticity of the findings.
What is a double blind design?
A research design where neither participants nor experimenters know the details of the study
This prevents experimenter expectancy effects, where the researcher’s biases might unconsciously influence participants’ behavior.
What are situational variables?
Features of a situation that may influence participants’ behavior
They can act as extraneous or confounding variables.
What are participant variables?
Individual differences between participants, such as gender
These can also impact the outcomes of the research.
What is the purpose of using matched pairs in research?
To control for individual differences between participants
This design pairs participants based on similar characteristics, reducing variability.
