Research Methods - Reliability and Validity Flashcards
(23 cards)
Give the definition of internal reliability
The extent to which the procedure can be replicated
Give the definition of external reliability
The extent to which the results can be replicated and checked for consistency
Name the aspects of internal reliability and external reliability
internal aspect = procedure
external aspect = results
How can we increase internal reliability
Through using a standardised procedure - where all aspects of the procedure are kept the same for all participants
How can we check internal reliability
Use split half method ( usually for questionnaires)
use test re test method
How can we increase external reliability
Through collecting quantitative data
How can we check external reliability
Use split half method ( usually for questionnaires)
use test re test method
Define inter rater reliability
The level of agreement between two or more researchers when they’re observing the same behaviour in the same way - aiming for an 80 percent agreement level
Describe the ‘split half method’
When a questionnaire involves repetition of questions from the first half in the second half of the questionnaire to check the consistency of results
Describe the test-retest method
This is when participants are tested more than once in exactly the same way.
What is validity
validity refers to the extent to which a study has tested or measured what it set out to measure
Define internal validity
This refers to how well a study measures what it sets out to measure at the start of research
How can we increase internal validity
through implementing high levels of control in the procedure to reduce the effect of extraneous variables
What are extraneous variables
variables that haven’t been con trolled that can cofound the results of a study. If these aren’t controlled then the validity of a study can be questioned
Name the five different types of extraneous variables
Situational variables Individual differences Researcher effects Demand characteristics Social desirability
What are situational variables and give an example
Any factors within the environment that can affect participants behaviour or the results eg - background noise, time of day
What are individual differences and give an example
Any differences between participants that aren’t accounted for eg age, gender, IQ, amount of sleep
What are researcher effects and give examples
If a researcher acts differently to different participants or conditions which can influence certain behaviours eg - changing their disposition or attitude in a different condition
What are demand characteristics
If participants know the aim of the study, they may change their behaviour
What is social desireability
When a participant behaves in a a way that makes them seem more socially desirable and acceptable which may not be truthful
Define external validity and its two types
the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalised to factors outside of research
- ecological validity - if the task and or setting is representitve of real life
- population validity - whether sample is representive of the wider target population
name the three ways we can check the validity and define them
face validity - extent to which something looks as if it will measure what it is supposed to
construct validity - extent to which a test measures all aspects of behaviour in question
criterion validity - extent to which the scores on one measure are able to predict the outcome on another related measure
name and define the two types of criterion validity
concurrent - extent to which a test correlates well with the measure of the same thing that has been previously validated . You would compare results of your new measure with a previously validated one
predictive - extent that a measure can predict future behaviour or attitude
