Chapter 4

Question 1

Construct

Answer 1

Conceptual variable that is known to exist but cannot be directly observed

Question 2

External factor of a construct

Answer 2

Observable behavior or event that is presumed to reflect the construct itself

Question 3

Continuous variable

Answer 3

Measured along a continuum at any place beyond the decimal point. Can be measured in whole units or fractional units

Question 4

Discrete variable

Answer 4

Measured in whole units or categories that are not distributed along a continuum

Question 5

Scales of measurement

Answer 5

Rules for how the properties of numbers can change with different uses

Question 6

Nominal scale

Answer 6

Measurements in which a number is assigned to represent something or someone. Often coded values

Question 7

Coding

Answer 7

Procedure of converting a categorical variable to numeric values

Question 8

Ordinal scale

Answer 8

Measurements that convey order or rank only

Question 9

Interval scales

Answer 9

Measurements that have no true zero and are distributed in equal units (1 2 3 4 5)

Question 10

True zero

Answer 10

When the value 0 truly indicates nothing on a scale of measurement. Not found on interval scales

Question 11

Ratio scale

Answer 11

Measurements that have a true zero and are equidistant

Question 12

Reliability

Answer 12

The consistency, stability, or repeatability of one or more measures or observations

Question 13

Test-retest reliability

Answer 13

The extent to which a measure or observation is consistent or stable at two points in time

Question 14

Internal consistency

Answer 14

Measure of reliability used to determine the extent to which multiple items used to measure the same variable are related

Question 15

Validity

Answer 15

Measurement is the extent to which a measurement for a variable or construct measures what it is purported or intended to measure

Question 16

Interrater reliability (IRR) or interobserver reliability

Answer 16

Measure for the extent to which two or more raters of the same behavior or event are in agreement with what they observed

Question 17

Face validity

Answer 17

A measurement is the extent to which a measure for a variable or construct appears to measure what it is purported to measure

Question 18

Criterion-related validity

Answer 18

The extent to which scores obtained on some measure can be used to infer or predict a criterion or expected outcome

Question 19

Content Validity

Answer 19

The extent to which the items or contents of a measure adequately represent all of the features of the construct being measured

Question 20

Participant reactivity

Answer 20

The reaction or response participants have when they know they are being observed or measured

Question 21

Participant expectancy

Answer 21

Participant is overly cooperative

Question 22

Evaluation apprehension

Answer 22

Participant is overly apprehensive

Question 23

Participant reluctance

Answer 23

Participant is overly antagonistic

Question 24

4 ways to minimize participant reactivity

Answer 24

Reassure confidentiality
Use deception when ethical
Measure less obvious variables
Minimize demand characteristics

Question 25

Demand characteristic

Answer 25

Any feature of a research setting that may reveal the hypothesis being tested or give the participant a clue how they are expected to behave

Question 26

Experimenter bias

Answer 26

The extent to which the behavior of a researcher or experimenter intentionally or unintentionally influence the results of a study

Question 27

Expectancy effects

Answer 27

Preconceived ideas or expectations regarding how participants should behave or what participants are capable of doing. Often leads to experimenter bias

Question 28

How to minimize experimenter bias

Answer 28

Get a second opinion Standardize the research procedure Conduct a double-blind study

Question 29

Double-blind study

Answer 29

Study in which researcher collecting data and the participants are unaware of the conditions that participants are assigned

Question 30

Sensitivity of a measure

Answer 30

The extent to which a measure can change or be different in the presence of a manipulation

Question 31

Range effect

Answer 31

When scores are clustered to one extreme

Question 32

Floor effect

Answer 32

Scores are clustered very low (range effect)

Question 33

Ceiling effect

Answer 33

Scores are clustered very high (range effect)

Question 34

How to maximize sensitivity and minimize range effects

Answer 34

Perform a thorough literature review Conduct pilot study Include manipulation checks Use multiple measures

Question 35

Pilot study

Answer 35

Small preliminary study used to determine the extent to which a manipulation or measure will show an effect of interest

Question 36

Manipulation check

Answer 36

Procedure used to check or confirm that a manipulation in a study had the effect that was intended