issues in psychology research

Question 1

Whta is meant by validity?

Answer 1

When a test measures what it claims to measure, we say it is valid.

Question 2

what is a study which lacks validity?

Answer 2

A study which doesnt measure what it claims to measure.

Question 3

what do we need to make sure of, in order for an experiment to be valid?

Answer 3

There should be no extraneous or confounding variables affecting the IV.

Question 4

what are the two ways in which we can assess validity?

Answer 4

Face validity, and concurent validity.

Question 5

describe face validity.

Answer 5

when we look at a test, and we use common sense to see wether it actually measures what it claims to be measuring.

We say the test has face validity.

Question 6

describe concurent validity.

Answer 6

when a test produces similar results of another test, that measures the SAME behaviour, and which is prooven to be valid.

We say the test has concurent validity.

Question 7

What is reliability?

Answer 7

When the results of a study are consistent, every time the study is replicated, we saw the study is reliable.

Question 8

What are the two factors that affects reliability, and explain how they affect it.

Answer 8

1.extraneous variables, can cause the experiment to be different everytime it is replicated, thus providing inconsistent results.
2. if the test used to measure behaviour, lacks validity.

Question 9

What is meant by external reliability?

Answer 9

how consistent the results of a test are, every time it is repeated.

Question 10

What is meant by internal reliability?

Answer 10

How consistent the individual items on a test, or questionaire are with each other.

Question 11

How do we test external reliability? and exlplain it.

Answer 11

we can use the test-retest method.

This involves a researcher getting a group of participants to complete the same test, or questionaire, on two separate ocassions, and compare the results obtained on both trials.

Question 12

How do we test internal reliability? amd explain it.

Answer 12

We can use the split half method

It splits the test items in 2, and then compares the results
If the results are the same on both parts, then we have internal reliability, if the results are not the sam on both parts, then we lack internal reliability.

Question 13

What are the 3 types of extraneous variables?

Answer 13

1.participant variables.
2.investigator effects.
3.situational variables.

Question 14

what si meant by participant variables?

Answer 14

personal characteristics of the participants, these can effect the results of the study.

Question 15

what is meant by investigator effects?

Answer 15

whenver a researcher influences the results of a study
The researche rinfluences the behaviour of the participants, and therefore the results of the study.

Question 16

describe how investigator effects could affect behaviour of the participants.

Answer 16

1. researcher expectations, can influence the behaviour of the researcher, which in turn can influence the behaviour of the participants, thus leading to investigator effects in the study.

Question 17

What is means by situational variables?

Answer 17

anytung external to the participants and the researcher that could affect the behaviour of the participants.

Question 18

What are the two variables that can cause demand characteristics?

Answer 18

1. situational variables
2. investigatore effects.

Question 19

describe how situational variables can lead to demand characteristics.

Answer 19

situational variables can act as hints, and enable participants to guess the aim of the study.

clarifier: participant notices aim on researchers computer.

Question 20

What is meant by demand characteristics?

Answer 20

When the participants form expectations about how they should behave, which in turn, influences how they behave in the study.

Question 21

describe how investigator effects can lead to demand characteristics.

Answer 21

investigator effects, can act as a hint that enables participants to guess the aim of the study.

Question 22

what are thetwo ways in which demand characteristics can affect behaviour?

Answer 22

1. some may try to be helpfull and behave the way they should behave
2. Other rebel, and behave the opposite to how they think they should behave