Validity and Reliability Flashcards
What is a pilot study?
(Why do we do this?)
A pilot study is a small scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted. The aim is to check that the procedures, materials, measuring scales, etc, work and to allow the researcher to make changes or modifications if necisarry
(The whole thing is the definition)
What is a case study?
An in depth study, using a range of methods, on 1 person or a small group
What are the advantages of using case studies?
Rich data - researchers get the ability to study rare phenomena in a lot of detail
Unique cases cases challenge the existing ideas and theories and make suggestions for future research
What are the disadvantages of using case studies?
With casual relationships cause and effect can’t be determined
Generalisability is limited
Ethics - informed consent
Give an example of a famous case study
Little Hans (Freud)
Are case studies usually reliable?
Yes
Why aren’t Freud’s case studies reliable?
They aren’t scientific
Why are case studies reliable?
Increases reliability by the process of repetability
Often case studies are done to see if further research is merited
Define reliability?
The overall consistency of a measure
What is internal reliability?
The extent to which a test is consistent within itself (the test is testing what it is ment to be testing)
What is external reliability?
The ability for a test to have a consistent measure from one use to another. (Give the same results)
For an experiment to be reliable what needs to be the case?
It gives similar results whenever it is done
The study must have standardised procedures
What are the different methods used to assess reliability?
Inter rater reliability
Split half method
Test retest method
Inter observer reliability
Explain the method of assessing reliability: Inter rater reliability?
This is when 2 or more researchers do the observation and they get the same outcome on 80% or more of the behaviours
Explain the method of assessing reliability: split half method?
You have 2 questions that are similar. You check to see if the participants answers match up or not. This helps see if there is social desirability bias