Validity - A-level

Question 1

validity definition

Answer 1

extent to which an observed effect is genuine and measures what it is supposed to measure, and if it can be generalised beyond the research setting within which it can be found

Question 2

face validity definition

Answer 2

basic form of validity in which a measure is scrutinised to determine if it appears to measure what it is supposed to

Question 3

concurrent validity definition

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what does validity refer to

Answer 4

if a psychological test, observation, experiment etc produces a result that is legitimate

Question 4

ecological validity definition

Answer 4

extent to which finding from a research study can be generalised to other settings and situations, this is a form of external validity

Question 4

temporal validity definition

Answer 4

extent to which findings from a research study can be generlised to other historical times and eras, a form of external validity

Question 5

internal validity

Answer 5

if the researcher has measured what they intended to

Question 6

external validity

Answer 6

extent to which the findings can be generalised beyond the research setting in which they are found

Question 7

can data be reliable but not valid

Answer 7

yes, if data is consistent but wrong. for example if scales constantly measure a weight at 500g but in it actually weights 600g. this is giving the same answer consistently so is reliable, but the answer is incorrect so is wrong

Question 8

what is internal validity

Answer 8

if effects observed are due to the manipulation is the independent variable and not to another factor

Question 9

what is a major threat to internal validity

Answer 9

demand characteristics as participants act in the way they think is expected

Question 10

what is external validity

Answer 10

the extent to which it relates to factors outside of the investigation such as generalising to other settings, populations and eras

Question 11

what type of validity of ecological validity

Answer 11

external validity

Question 12

what is ecological validity

Answer 12

generalising findings to other settings (everyday life)

Question 13

what has low ecological validity

Answer 13

if there is mundane realism and the dependent variable is not like everyday life

Question 14

what must be looked at when deciding ecological validity

Answer 14

all aspects of the research set-up in order to decide if findings can be generalised beyond the particular research setting

Question 15

what is temporal validity

Answer 15

if the findings from a particular study, or concepts within the study hold true over time

Question 16

what are 2 ways of assessing reliability

Answer 16

-face validity
-concurrent validity

Question 17

what is face validity

Answer 17

if a test or scale appears to measure what is is supposed to measure.

Question 18

how can face validity be determined

Answer 18

by simply eyeballing the measuring instrument or by passing it to an expert to check

Question 19

what is concurrent validity

Answer 19

if a particular test or scale is demonstrated when the results are very close to, or match, those obtained on another recognised scale or test

Question 20

how is concurrent validity analysed

Answer 20

close agreement between the two sets of data would indictae that the new test has a high concurrent validity. this is if correlation coefficient is at +0.80 or above

Question 21

how can the validity of experiments be improved

Answer 21

-using a control group means the researcher can better assess if change in the dependent variable were due to the effect of the independent variable
-procedures can be standardised to minimise the impact of participant reactivity and investigator effects on the validity of the outcome
-single-blind or double-blind procedures are used to reduce the effect of demand characteristics
- in a double-blind procedure a third party conducts the investigation without knowing its main purpose which reduces both demand characteristics and investigator effects and therefore improves reliability

Question 22

how can the validity of questionnaires be improved

Answer 22

-incorporate a lie scale within the questions in order to assess the consistency of a respondent’s response and control the effects of social desirability bias
-can be enhanced by ensuring all data submitted is anonymous

Question 23

how can reliability of observations be improved

Answer 23

-can produce findings with very high ecological validity, particularly in the case of covert observations, as behaviour is more likely to be natural and authentic
-if behaviour categories are too broad, overlapping or ambiguous may have a negative impact on validity of data collected

Question 24

why are qualitative research methods seen as having ecological validity

Answer 24

higher ecological validity than quantitative which are less interpretive methods of research. this is because the detail collected from things such as case studies and interviews are better able to reflect a participants reality

Question 25

what is interpretive validity

Answer 25

the extent to which researcher’s interpretation of events matched that of their participants

Question 26

how can interpretive validity be demonstrated

Answer 26

things such as coherence of the researchers narrative and the inconclusion of direct quotes from participants within the report.

Question 27

how can validity be further enhanced

Answer 27

triangulation (use of more than one research method)

Question 28

what is triangulation

Answer 28

use of a number of different sources as evidence, for example data complied through interviews with friends, family, personal diaries, observations etc