Psych 311 unit 2
Validity
The degree to which a measurement procedure accurately measures what it is intended to.
Face validity
The superficial appearance of a measurement procedure, whether it looks like it measures the variable that it claims to measure.
- Sometimes disguised so participants do not adjust their answer to produce a better self-image
Concurrent validity
The degree to which scores obtained from new measurement relate directly to scores obtained from another, better established procedure.
Positive relationship
Two measurements change together in the same direction
Negative relationship
Two measurements change in opposite directions
Predictive validity
When the measurements of a construct accurately predict behavior
Construct validity
When measurements of a variable behave exactly the same way as the variable itself
- Feminism and beliefs that relate to feminism
Convergent validity
Involves creating two different methods to measure the same construct, then showing a strong relationship between the measures obtained from the two methods
Divergent validity
Involves demonstrating that we are measuring one specific construct and not combing two different constructs in the same measurement process, goal is to differentiate between two conceptually distinct constructs
- Step 1: demonstrate convergent validity for both constructs
- Step 2: demonstrate that the two constructs are separate and distinct
Reliability
Consistency of the measurement
Observer error
The individual who makes the measurements can introduce simple human error into the measurement process
Environmental error
There are so many environmental variables that it is essentially impossible to obtain two identical environmental conditions
Participant change
The participant can change between measurements
Test-retest reliability
The reliability estimate obtained by comparing the scores obtained from two successive measurements
Parallel-forms reliability
When different versions of the instrument are used for the test and retest
Inter-rater reliability
The degree of agreement between two observers
Split-half reliability
The degree of consistency between scores on each half of a test
Desynchrony
The lack of agreement between two measures possibly due to one measure being more sensitive or changing at a different time than the other measure, can be fixed by assigning one score based one the two measures.
Artifact
An external factor that may influence or distort measurements
Experimenter bias
Occurs when the measurements obtained in a study are influenced by the experimenter's expectations or personal beliefs regarding the study
Demand characteristics
Refers to any of the potential cues or features of a study that (1) suggest to the participant what the purpose and hypothesis is (2) influence the participants to respond and behave in a certain way
Reactivity
Occurs when participants modify their natural behavior in response to the fact that they are participating in a research study
Good subject role
Participants have identified the hypothesis of the study and are trying to produce responses that support it
Negativistic subject role
Participants have identified the purpose of the study and are trying to produce responses contrary to it
Apprehensive subject role
Overly concerned about their performance in the study and try to place themselves in a desirable light by producing socially desirable responses
Faithful subject role
Follow instructions to the letter and avoid acting on any suspicions they have about the purpose of the study
A laboratory
Any setting that is obviously devoted to the discipline of science
Field
A place that participant perceives as a natural environment