Validity, reliability, data analysis, and normal distribution Flashcards
what is criterion validity?
it is a way of assessing the validity of a task by comparing the results with another measure. there are two types.
how many types of criterion validity is there?
two
name the two types of criterion validity
concurrent and predictive
explain concurrent criterion validity
This is the degree to which a test corresponds to an external criterion that is known concurrently (i.e. occurring at the same time). If the new test is validated by a comparison with a currently existing criterion, we have concurrent validity.
explain predictive criterion validity
Predictive validity refers to the extent to which a survey measure forecasts future performance. A graduate school entry examination that predicts who will do well in graduate school has predictive validity.
what does construct mean, in terms of validity?
the degree to which a test or instrument is capable of measuring a concept, trait, or other theoretical entity.
what does population validity mean?
this refers to how well the sample used in the study can be extrapolated to the target population and then the population as a whole.
What does subjectivity mean?
it refers to researchers analysing data by judging it from their own personal opinion and feelings.
what must be used when quantitative data is analysed, and why?
subjectivity, to some degree, as there are no statistical analyses that researchers can perform on it.
what does objectivity mean?
it refers to analysing data based on fact with no need to use personal judgements.
explain the four steps of a test-retest analysis
- create a questionaire that generates numerical data
- allow a group of participants to complete the questionaire
- after a set time period (usually longer than 2 weeks)
get the same participants to complete the same questinaire - correlate the overall scores for the two time points and see whether a positive correlation occurs. If a strong positive correlation occurs than the quesionaire is said to be a reliable measure.
what is the measure of spread?
it gives an index of how spread the data is around a measure of central tendency.
what is an alternate name for measure of spread?
measure of dispersion
What is the strength of conducting useful research?
it can be used to improve human behaviour in some way.
what are the two problems with conducting useful research?
studies may be unethical to gain more valid results.
Studies need to be high in ecological validity to be of more use to society but this can be quite difficult if they are conducted in a laboratory, for instance.
what does individual explanation mean?
it accounts for behaviours using factors within the person (called dispositional factors, such as personality)
what does situational explanation mean?
it accounts for behaviours using factors from the external environment (situations that people find themselves in)
what are the four approaches to psychology?
biological, cognitive, learning, and social.
what do physiological psychologists do?
they look at how our biology affects our psychology
what do cognitive psychologists do?
they look at how we process information
what do behaviourist psychologists do?
they are interested in the ways in which humans and animals learn
what do social psychologists do?
they are interested in how we ‘work’ in the social world.
what are the two general assumptions regarding biological psychology? (behaviour cognitions and emotions:, similarities and differences between people:)
- behaviour, cognitions and emotions can be explained in terms of the working of the brain and the effects of hormones
- similarities and differences between people can be understood in terms of biological factors and their interactions with other factors
what are the two general assumptions regarding cognitive psychology? (behaviour cognitions and emotions:, similarities and differences between people:)
- behaviour, cognitions and emotions can be explained in terms of the role of cognitive processes such as attention, language, thinking and memory.
- similarities and differences between people can be understood in terms of individual patterns of cognition
what are the two general assumptions regarding learning psychology?
- conditioning helps explain changes in behaviour
2. social learning helps to explain changes in behaviour
what are the two general assumptions regarding social psychology? (behaviour cognitions and emotions:, behaviour cognitions and emotions:)
- behaviour, cognitions and emotions can be influenced by other individuals
- behaviour cognitions and emotions can be influenced by groups and social contexts
what are normal distributions sometimes referred to as?
a bell-shaped curve
what does it mean if data is normally distributed?
the mean, median and mode are all the same value
