Psychology Internal Validity Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which type of notes are primarily focused on personal events and feelings of the researcher?

Personal Notes (correct)

Analytic Notes

Inference Notes

Direct Observation Notes

What is the main purpose of analytic notes in qualitative research?

To create maps and diagrams

To document personal experiences

To develop concepts, themes, or preliminary generalizations (correct)

To compare observations over time

Which type of notes involves the researcher listening and inferring meaning without applying predetermined categories?

Map and Diagrams

Direct Observation Notes

Analytic Notes

Inference Notes (correct)

Why are techniques used to assess reliability and validity in quantitative research not directly applicable to qualitative research?

The nature of qualitative data and research is significantly different. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of map that field researchers may create?

Geographical Map Signup and view all the answers

What is selection bias in the context of internal validity?

Failure to maintain equivalent groups at the start of an experiment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common threat to internal validity?

Hawthorne effect Signup and view all the answers

Which threat to internal validity is characterized by subjects affecting the dependent variable due to their natural growth and changes?

Maturation Signup and view all the answers

What does reactivity in experiments imply?

Participants modify their behavior because they know they are being studied Signup and view all the answers

How does statistical regression threaten internal validity?

By causing random errors to skew results toward an extreme Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of the diffusion of treatment on an experiment?

It can compromise the unique effects of different treatments Signup and view all the answers

Which threat to internal validity is caused by unplanned events affecting the dependent variable?

History effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of external validity in research?

The generalizability of experimentation findings to real-world situations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the moderator in a focus group?

To facilitate open discussions and encourage participation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of focus groups?

A large number of ideas are generated during discussions Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do focus groups provide in research?

They promote empowerment among marginalized groups Signup and view all the answers

In a standard focus group, how many participants are typically involved?

6-12 participants Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential negative outcome of group discussions in focus groups?

The polarization of attitudes among members Signup and view all the answers

What type of topics can focus groups address?

A variety of topics including personal behaviors and public attitudes Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of focus groups may limit participants' freedom of expression?

The presence of a trained moderator Signup and view all the answers

Which method may yield more ideas than focus group discussions?

Individual interviews Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of adopting an attitude of strangeness in field research?

To observe the field site with fresh eyes and notice ordinary details Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT mentioned as influencing trust and rapport in field research?

The length of the field study Signup and view all the answers

What should characteristically be included in full-field notes taken by researchers?

A variety of materials including maps and photographs Signup and view all the answers

Jotted notes in field research serve what main function?

They are quick memory triggers for later reference Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for researchers to write their notes immediately after leaving the field?

To ensure that observations are accurately captured while still fresh Signup and view all the answers

What is one challenge researchers might face when trying to build rapport in the field?

Members of the setting may exhibit fear or tension Signup and view all the answers

Which observation accurately reflects the note-taking process in field research?

Researchers may produce extensive notes even after short observation periods Signup and view all the answers

In field research, what might strangeness help researchers to become aware of?

Their biases and preconceived notions Signup and view all the answers

What technique involves asking members of the group being studied if they agree with the interpretations made by the researcher?

Member checking Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the extent to which findings can be applied to other contexts?

Transferability Signup and view all the answers

What does dependability in qualitative research most closely resemble in quantitative research?

Reliability Signup and view all the answers

Which method can be used to assess dependability by evaluating the research materials?

External audit Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept that assesses how neutral research findings are, devoid of the researchers' biases?

Confirmability Signup and view all the answers

What ethical dilemma arises when a researcher assumes a false role in the field?

Covert deception Signup and view all the answers

What must researchers uphold when they have intimate knowledge shared in confidence?

Confidentiality Signup and view all the answers

What additional dilemma might researchers face when studying individuals involved in illegal activities?

Involvement in illegal activities Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Internal Validity

Threats to internal validity affect the dependent variable, making it hard to determine the cause of the effect.
Selection bias occurs when groups in an experiment are not equivalent at the start.
History effects are external events that affect the dependent variable during the experiment.
Maturation refers to the natural changes experienced by participants during the experiment.
Testing effect occurs when the pretest influences the outcome of the experiment.
Instrumentation happens when the measurement of the dependent variable changes during the experiment.
Mortality is when participants drop out of the experiment.
Statistical Regression results from extreme values pulling group results toward the average.
Diffusion of treatment happens when participants in different groups share information about their treatment.
Experimenter expectancy arises when researchers unintentionally communicate desired findings to participants.

External Validity

External validity determines if the study's findings can be generalized to other events or settings.
When external validity is lacking, results are only applicable to the specific experiment.
Reactivity occurs when participants are aware of being studied and behave differently.
The Hawthorne Effect is a form of reactivity where participants respond more to being in the experiment than the treatment.
Qualitative interviews can help generalize findings to populations beyond the sample.

Focus Groups

Focus group interviews are informal group discussions where participants share their perspectives on a topic.
Topics can include public attitudes, personal behaviors, products, or political candidates.
Moderator: guides the focus group and asks questions to encourage discussion.
Duration: most focus groups last 90 minutes.
Recording: Sessions are usually audio and video recorded for transcription.

Advantages and Limitations of Focus Groups

Advantages: Allows participants to freely express opinions, encourages openness among marginalized groups, provides insights into how people talk about certain topics, contributes to survey research.
Limitations: Potential for polarization effect (attitudes become more extreme), limited topics per session, moderator bias, groupthink, unclear representation, fewer ideas than individual interviews, accessibility issues.

The Attitude of Strangeness

Researchers adopt an outsider's perspective to observe a field site as if they are seeing it for the first time.
This helps to overcome boredom when observing ordinary details and provides new insights.
The attitude of strangeness makes the tacit culture visible and encourages researchers to reconsider their own social world.

Building Rapport

Getting along with field members is essential for building rapport.
Social skills and charm are crucial for establishing trust and gaining access to deeper insights.
Trust, friendly feelings, and being well-liked facilitate communication. Strategies include showing genuine concern, honesty, and sharing feelings.
Factors affecting trust and rapport include researcher presentation, role in the field, and events facilitating or hindering trust.

Taking Notes

Field notes encompass various materials: maps, diagrams, photographs, recordings, memos, artifacts, notes jotted in the field, and detailed notes written later.
Note-taking requires more time than field observation.
Notes should be detailed, descriptive, and written immediately after leaving the field.
Notes should be organized and kept private, as they are valuable research resources.

Types of Field Notes

Jotted notes: short, temporary reminders (words, phrases, drawings) written inconspicuously.
Direct observation notes: detailed, chronological accounts written immediately after leaving the field.
Inference notes: interpreting observations by comparing them to previous experiences and other perspectives.
Analytic notes: developing concepts, themes, and preliminary generalizations from the data.
Personal notes: a researcher's diary for recording personal experiences and feelings related to the field.
Maps and Diagrams: visual representations of the field site, organizing events and conveying information to others.

Data Quality

Qualitative research utilizes different methods for assessing reliability and validity than quantitative research.

Trustworthiness

Credibility: the truth value of research findings.
- Member checking: verifying interpretations and conclusions with participants.
- Prolonged engagement: spending sufficient time in the field to draw informed conclusions.
- Negative case analysis: identifying data or cases that contradict general findings and explaining them.
Transferability: how applicable research findings are to other contexts.
- Thick description: providing detailed and rich accounts of the study.
Dependability: consistency of results if the study were repeated under similar conditions.
- External audit: examining research materials by an external evaluator to verify conclusions.
Confirmability: ensuring research neutrality and minimizing researcher bias.

Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research:

Deception: Researchers may assume false identities or mislead participants to maintain covert research.
- Covert research is rarely preferable to overt research because of the difficulty of maintaining deception and the risk of being discovered.
Confidentiality: Researchers are obligated to protect the privacy of information obtained from participants.
Involvement with Deviants: Studying individuals engaging in illegal behaviors presents additional ethical dilemmas. Researchers may be involved in illegal activity or face risks and ethical considerations.

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Description

Test your understanding of internal validity threats in psychological research. This quiz covers various concepts such as selection bias, maturation, and historical effects that can impact the outcomes of experiments. Enhance your knowledge of how these factors can influence experimental results.