2 - Variables

Question 1

What are the limits of operational definitions?

Answer 1

Only external manifestations of constructs (behaviours) not cognitive components
Fix with multiple procedures to measure variable
Self-reporting depends on openness

Question 2

How to create operational definitions?

Answer 2

Previous research

Question 3

How do consistencies of relationships correspond with correlations?

Answer 3

Positive +1.00
Negative -1.00
Inconsistent 0

Question 4

What is validity?

What are its types? Problems?

Answer 4

Procedure measures what it’s supposed to
Face validity: does it look like it does? Creates obviousness
Concurrent validity: backed up by a more established procedure, like IQ
Predictive validity: accurately predicts behaviour
Construct validity: measurements behave the way variable does. Grows with more studies
Convergent validity: two methods to measure same construct, then show scores related
Divergent validity: differentiate between two constructs by measuring then showing no relationship

Question 5

Reliability?

Answer 5

Produces identical results each time

Question 6

What are common sources of error in measurement and between them?

Answer 6

1. Observer error
2. Environmental changes
3. Participant changes

Question 7

Types of reliability?

Answer 7

Successive: test-retest, parallel-forms (with correlation computation)
Simultaneous: two observers. Agreement is Inter-rater reliability
Internal consistency: multiple items to measure one construct. Split-half reliability measures correlation between two scores

Question 8

What are three ways to measure construct?

Answer 8

1. Self-report: easy to report, easy to distort, hello-goodbye effect
2. Physiological: GSR, PET, MRI. Doesn’t always get right construct
3. Behavioural: observational

Question 9

Experimenter bias

Answer 9

Measurements are influenced by the experimenter’s expectations or personal beliefs regarding the outcome

1. Linguistic cues
2. Kinesthetic
3. Verbal reinforcement
4. Misjudgment of responses
5. Recording errors

Single-and double-blind

Question 10

Demand characteristics

Reactivity

Answer 10

1. Cues that suggest what the hypothesis is; influence participants to respond a certain way
2. Participants modify natural behaviour in response to fact they are being studied

Question 11

Subject behaviours

Answer 11

1. Good subject role (see through it)
2. Negativistic (sabotage)
3. Apprehensive (responding socially desirably)
4. Faithful (want) (apathetic or loyal to science)