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# Research Methods Terminology Glossary | Research Methods Term | Definition/Explanation | |---|---| | Validity | Refers to a test's ability to measure what it is supposed to measure. | | Internal Validity | The extent to which the results were due to the manipulation of the IV rather than other f...

# Research Methods Terminology Glossary | Research Methods Term | Definition/Explanation | |---|---| | Validity | Refers to a test's ability to measure what it is supposed to measure. | | Internal Validity | The extent to which the results were due to the manipulation of the IV rather than other factors such as extraneous variables or demand characteristics. | | External Validity | Whether it is possible to generalize the results beyond the experiment | | Temporal Validity | Refers to how likely it is that the time period when a study was conducted has influenced the findings and whether they can be generalized to other periods in time | | Ecological Validity | The extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be generalized to real-life settings. | | Population Validity | The degree to which study results from a sample can be generalized to a larger target group of interest (the population) | | Construct Validity | Refers to whether a scale or test measures the concept accurately | | Reliability | The extent to which if the experiment was repeated would the same results be obtained | | Repeatability | How practical the research is to repeat easily | | Researcher Bias | Also known as experimenter bias, process where the psychologists performing the research influence the results, in order to portray a certain outcome. | | Demand Characteristics | Occur when participants try to make sense of the research situation they are in and try to guess the purpose of the research or try to present themselves in a way to help / hinder the research. | | Social Desirability | Participants' behaviour is distorted as they modify this in order to be seen in a positive light. | | Control Group | A group that is treated normally and gives us a measure of how people behave when they are not exposed to the experimental treatment | | Experimental Group | The group that received the experimental treatment | | Independent Variable | The variable that the experimenter manipulates | | Dependent Variable | The variable that is measured to tell you the outcome | | Extraneous Variable(s) | Variables that can be controlled that if not controlled may affect the DV and provide a false impression than an IV has produced changes when it hasn't | | Confounding Variable(s) | A variable that cannot be controlled but that varies systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure of the true source of the change to the DV | | Ethical Considerations | There are 6 guidelines that are provided by the BPS - they are the 'rules' by which all psychologists should operate, including those carrying out research. | | Informed Consent | Psychologists should ensure that all participants are helped to understand fully all aspects of the research before they agree (give consent) to take part |