Research Methods Overview

Internal Validity = Determines if the study accurately measures the causal relationship External Validity = Ability to generalize findings to other settings or populations Construct Validity = How well a test or tool measures the concept it's intended to measure Statistical Validity = The extent to which statistical conclusions are accurate

Selection Threat = Different groups start with unequal characteristics Maturation Threat = Natural changes in participants over time Attrition Threat = Dropout rates skewing the study results Instrumentation Threat = Changes in measurement methods affecting outcomes

More experienced group affects results = Selection Threat Participants improve due to familiarity = Testing Threat Complex language used later in the study = Instrumentation Threat Participants quit due to difficulty = Attrition Threat

<p>Internal Validity = Identifies potential biases in experimental conditions External Validity = Facilitates application across different populations</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Participants selected based on extreme scores = Statistical Regression Threat Natural development over time affects outcomes = Maturation Threat Participants' dropouts skew final results = Attrition Threat Pretests influencing posttest scores = Testing Threat</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Background and research = Context and previous studies related to the topic Purpose of study = The reason behind conducting the research Hypotheses = Testable predictions about the study's outcomes Introduction = Overview of the research paper's relevant points</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>0.05 or less = Statistically significant results 0.05 or more = Not statistically significant results P-value threshold = Standard for determining significance Statistical significance = Indication of reliable results</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Confound Variables = Variables that may impact results unintentionally Operant definitions = Precise definitions of terms used in the study Physical setting = Environment in which the study is conducted Wording of questions = Specific language used in surveys or tests</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Test-retest = Math test scores are consistent between attempts Split-Half = Scores are similar on two halves of a test Inter-rater = Multiple graders give close scores on essays Internal consistency = Reliability across items within a test</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Construct validity = Accurate measurement of intended concepts Face-validity = Subjective judgment of appropriateness Criterion-related validity = Correlation with real-world outcomes Content validity = Extent coverage of a domain in measurement</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Repeated measures = Participants are tested multiple times Same number of participants = Ensures balanced sample sizes Within-Subjects design = Same participants in all conditions Consistency in measures = Similar conditions lead to valid outcomes</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Internal Validity = The degree to which a study establishes a cause-effect relationship Independent Variable = What is manipulated in the study Dependent Variable = What is measured in the study High validity = Indicates strong causal relationships exist</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>High construct validity = Happiness measured includes questions about joy High face-validity = Test items align with their intended purpose High criterion-related validity = Passing driving tests correlates with good driving skills Low concurrent validity = Tests not showing expected correlations with comparable measures</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tuskegee Study = Participants were denied effective treatment even when it became available Milgram Study = Participants were deceived about the purpose of the study Observational Design = Researchers observe in their natural environment Quasi-Experimental = Lacks random assignment to groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Independent Variable = What the research manipulates Dependent Variable = What the researcher measures or observes Confounding Variables = Factors that influence our outcome Debrief = Telling participants about purpose/benefits of the study after the study</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Experimental = Manipulating one or more independent variables Correlational Design = Looking at two or more variables for relationships Longitudinal Design = Studying the same group over a long time Random Selection = Sample representative of a broader population</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Deception = Intentionally misleading participants about the study's true purpose Informed Consent = Participants are aware of what they are agreeing to Tuskegee Study = Participants were not informed about the true nature of the study Milgram Study = This study tested authority obedience</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Correlation = r T-test = t ANOVA = F Regression = R²</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Positive Correlation = Both variables increase or decrease together Negative Correlation = One variable increases while the other decreases No Correlation = There is no relationship between the variables Perfect Correlation = One variable can predict another with 100% accuracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Independent Variable = Type of music Dependent Variable = Performance Confounding Variable = Stress Longitudinal Design = Studying the long-term effects of smoking</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Random Assignment = Different groups to ensure internal validity Experimental Design = Casual relationship through manipulation Correlational Analysis = Examining relationships between variables Observational Research = No manipulation or interference in study</p> Signup and view all the answers