Chapter 3

Question 1

What are the three types of claims?

Answer 1

Frequency, association, and causal

Question 2

What are the four big validities?

Answer 2

1. Construct validity - how well a conceptual variable is oeprationalised
2. Statistical validity - the extent to which a study’ statistical conclusions are precise, reasonable and replicable
3. External validity - how well the results of a study generalise to people/contexts behind those in the original study
4. Internal validity - to what extent one variable has a relationship with another, rather than some other factor

Question 3

Which validities are the most relevant for the three types of claims?

Answer 3

1. Frequency - construct validity, external validity and statistical validity.
2. Association - construct validity, external validity and statistical validity.
3. Causal - whether it was conducted as an experiment > internal validity and temporal precedence. Construct validity, external validity and statistical validity.

Question 4

What kind of research study is required to support a causal claim?

Answer 4

Experimental study

Question 5

What are variables?

Answer 5

Variables are concepts of interest that have at least 2 levels:
1. Variables can be measured/manipulated
2. Variables can be described (Conceptual variables - elements of a theory. Operational definitions - specific measures or manipulations to study concepts)

Question 6

What are frequency claims?

Answer 6

Claims that make arguments about the level of a single measured variable in a group of people

Question 7

What are association claims?

Answer 7

Claims that argue that 2 variables are related to each other. They are usually supported by correlational studies, where all variables are measured and used to predict the other variable with one of them

Question 8

What are causal claims?

Answer 8

Claims that state that one variable is responsible for changes in the other variable. There needs to be covariance, temporal precedence and internal validity to support a causal claim - therefore requiring an experimental study.

Question 9

How do researchers determine what validities they should prioritize?

Answer 9

In making a causal statement, internal validity is key - at the expense of external validity.

Question 10

What is covariance and temporal precedence?

Answer 10

1. Covariance - the extent to which two variable are observed to go together
2. Temporal precedence - when the method was designed so that the causal variable clearly comes first in time before the effect variable.