Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a threat to reliability in research that occurs when researchers' subjective judgments or interpretations introduce systematic errors into the study?
What is a threat to reliability in research that occurs when researchers' subjective judgments or interpretations introduce systematic errors into the study?
Observer bias
What type of qualitative research design involves immersing researchers in a particular cultural group or social setting to study its customs, beliefs, and behaviours?
What type of qualitative research design involves immersing researchers in a particular cultural group or social setting to study its customs, beliefs, and behaviours?
Ethnographic design
What is the purpose of grounded theory design in qualitative research?
What is the purpose of grounded theory design in qualitative research?
To develop theories or conceptual frameworks grounded in empirical data
What type of bias occurs when participants respond in a way that is socially desirable, rather than honestly?
What type of bias occurs when participants respond in a way that is socially desirable, rather than honestly?
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What type of qualitative research design involves an in-depth analysis of a single individual, group, or phenomenon within its real-life context?
What type of qualitative research design involves an in-depth analysis of a single individual, group, or phenomenon within its real-life context?
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What is a common internal validity threat that occurs when participants in different groups are not equivalent at the outset of the study, leading to confounding variables?
What is a common internal validity threat that occurs when participants in different groups are not equivalent at the outset of the study, leading to confounding variables?
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What external validity threat occurs when the study setting or conditions do not reflect real-world situations, limiting the generalizability of findings to everyday contexts?
What external validity threat occurs when the study setting or conditions do not reflect real-world situations, limiting the generalizability of findings to everyday contexts?
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What construct validity threat occurs when the operationalization of a construct includes irrelevant or extraneous components, leading to measurement error?
What construct validity threat occurs when the operationalization of a construct includes irrelevant or extraneous components, leading to measurement error?
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What is the term for the phenomenon where participants change their behavior simply because they are aware of being studied, rather than due to the experimental manipulation?
What is the term for the phenomenon where participants change their behavior simply because they are aware of being studied, rather than due to the experimental manipulation?
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What is the term for the reliance on a single measure or method to assess a complex construct, increasing the risk of measurement error?
What is the term for the reliance on a single measure or method to assess a complex construct, increasing the risk of measurement error?
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Study Notes
Threats to Validity in Quantitative Research
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Internal Validity Threats
- Selection Bias: participants in different groups are not equivalent at the outset of the study, leading to confounding variables
- History Effects: external events or changes occurring during the study that influence the outcome variable
- Maturation: natural changes or development in participants over time that affect the outcome variable
- Testing Effects: changes in participants' responses due to repeated testing or exposure to the study materials
- Instrumentation: changes in the measurement instrument or observer bias that affect the consistency or accuracy of data collection
External Validity Threats
- Sampling Bias: the sample does not accurately represent the population of interest, leading to limited generalizability of findings
- Ecological Validity: the study setting or conditions do not reflect real-world situations, limiting the generalizability of findings to everyday contexts
- Reactivity: changes in participants' behaviour due to being observed or knowing they are participating in a study, leading to artificial responses
- Hawthorne Effect: participants change their behaviour simply because they are aware of being studied, rather than due to the experimental manipulation
Construct Validity Threats
- Construct Underrepresentation: the operationalization of a construct does not fully capture its theoretical meaning, leading to incomplete measurement
- Construct Overrepresentation: the operationalization of a construct includes irrelevant or extraneous components, leading to measurement error
- Mono-operation Bias: reliance on a single measure or method to assess a complex construct, increasing the risk of measurement error
Reliability Threats
- Measurement Error: inaccuracies or inconsistencies in the measurement of variables that affect the reliability of study findings
- Observer Bias: systematic errors introduced by researchers' subjective judgments or interpretations
- Participant Bias: systematic errors introduced by participants' tendencies to respond in a certain way, such as social desirability bias
Qualitative Research Designs
Phenomenological Design
- Explores individuals' lived experiences of a particular phenomenon to understand its meaning and significance
- Focuses on participants' subjective perspectives and employs open-ended interviews or written reflections
Ethnographic Design
- Immerses researchers in a particular cultural group or social setting to study its customs, beliefs, and behaviours
- Involves prolonged engagement and participant observation to gain an insider's perspective
Grounded Theory Design
- Develops theories or conceptual frameworks grounded in empirical data collected through systematic observation or interviews
- Iterative process of data collection, coding, and theory development to generate new insights
Case Study Design
- Provides an in-depth analysis of a single individual, group, or phenomenon within its real-life context
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Description
This quiz covers common threats to internal validity in quantitative research, including selection bias, history effects, and maturation. Learn how to identify and mitigate these threats to ensure reliable study findings.
