Validity

Question 1

What is Internal Validity?

Answer 1

The findings are accurate and the effects on the DV are caused by the IV. Therefore the study measures what it intends to measure (as confounding variables have been controlled and will not affect the results)

Question 2

What is External Validity?

Answer 2

Whether the study paints a true picture of the real behaviours (e.g. if tasks have mundane realism) and whether the findings would apply to different times, or, different people (population validity)

Question 3

What are Specific Validity Issues?

Answer 3

Factors that could cause problems with validity such as

1. Researcher Bias
2. Demand Characteristics
3. Social Disaribility

Question 4

Describe Researcher Bias?

Answer 4

Where the researcher either directly/indirectly influences the results of a study, through the process of designing the study or through the way the research is conducted/analysed

Question 5

Describe Demand Characteristics

Answer 5

A type of confounding variable where participants unconsciously work out the aim and act differently (either through social desirability or the ‘screw you’ effect)

Question 6

Describe Social Desirability

Answer 6

Where participants give the response that they think will show them in the best light. This may mean that they are not s true reflection of their real thought/feelings

Question 7

How Can you Deal with Issues of Validity?

Answer 7

Improving validity through methods such as double/single blind procedures or through changing the location/nature of the research tasks to make them more reflective of real life

Question 8

How Do You Assess Validity?

Answer 8

Methods of checking the internal/external validity of a study. Includes

1. Concurrent Validity
2. Construct Validity
3. Content Validity
4. Predictive Validity
5. Face Validity

Question 9

Describe Concurrent Validity

Answer 9

Validating a measurement by comparing it with an established measurement that has known validity. If similar results occur on both tests, then this new test is valid. If not, the new test would have to be redesigned and retested

Question 10

Describe Construct Validity

Answer 10

The most sophisticated test of validity as it looks at whether the overall results reflect the phenomena as a whole (external validity). Checking the existing definitions of the behaviour being studied and redesigned the test if it measures a different construct

Question 11

Describe Content Validity

Answer 11

This objectivity checks the method of measuring behaviour is accurate and decides whether it is a fair test that achieves the aims of the study (internal validity). Ask an expert in that specific area of behaviour to check the test is valid

Question 12

Describe Predictive Validity

Answer 12

The degree to which a test accurately forecasts a future outcome on a more broadly related topic. Do the findings apply in different and more varied situations? E.g. Do those with high IQ score gain higher grades in exams?

Question 13

Describe Face Validity

Answer 13

the least sophisticated measure of validity. This Validity is simply whether the test appears to measure what it claims to, and hence is subjective. Tests where the purpose is clear, even to naive respondents, are said to have this validity