Task 2. Research types & measures

Question 1

Factors to consider when choosing your variables for your study

Answer 1

• Research Tradition -> if topic follows a previous one, you can choose the same variables
• Theory -> your P.O.V may influence your chosen variable
• Availability of new Techniques -> use new methods to investigate unknown variables
• Availability for Equipment

Question 2

Reliability

Answer 2

• ability of a measure to repeatedly produce similar results

Question 3

Interrater reliability
(Pearson r)

Answer 3

• statistical measure for establishing degree of agreements amongst observers (when - — measure consists of judgements or rating of multiple observers)

Question 4

Test-retest reliability

Answer 4

• repeat the same test twice, long break in-between and given to the same individuals, proves stable traits

Question 5

Parallel-forms reliability

Answer 5

• same as test-retest, except the forms are not exactly the same, but equivalent (prevent recall)

Question 6

Split-half reliability

Answer 6

• both parallel forms are put together in one test and done in the same sitting

Question 7

Accuracy

Answer 7

• produces results that agree with an established standard

Question 8

Validity

Answer 8

DOES THE MEASURE MEASURE WHAT ITS SUPPOSED TO MEASURE!

Question 9

Face validity

Answer 9

• the extent to how well a measurement APPEARS to measure what its designed to measure

Question 10

Content validity

Answer 10

• how well does the measure cover the entire topic

Question 11

Construct validity

Answer 11

• measure that accurately measures an abstract construct (non-measurable variable)

Question 12

Criterion validity & subtypes
(concurrent & predictive)

Answer 12

• how well a test score measures an individuals value on some criterion
• concurrent (own test & criterion measured at the same time)
• predictive (own test predicting a later standard)

Question 13

Adequacy of a dependent measure

Answer 13

• sensitivity: some measures may be insensitive to manipulation, whereas others show an effect
• range effects: occurs when a variable has an upper/lower limit (FLOOR & CEILING)

Question 14

Behavioural measures
(dependent variable)

Answer 14

• recording the behaviour of the subjects while exposing to different situations, etc., offers no insight into causality
• frequency: # of occurrences over t
• latency: amount of t it takes to respond
• # of errors

Question 15

Physiological measures
(dependent variable)

Answer 15

• monitoring bodily functions (heart rate, brain waves, etc.)

Question 16

Self-report measures

Advantages & Disadvantages?

Answer 16

• variety of forms where participants self-report
• Likert Scale, Rating scale (0-5/10), Q-sort methodology (qualitative measurement, establishing evaluating categories & sorting them)
  + -> a lot of info, combine w/ other measures
• -> open-ended tedious to analyze, socially desirable answering, truthfulness, reliability of memory, no ecological validity

Question 17

Implicit measures (IAT)

Answer 17

Implicit Association Test - rapid testing, put of conscious control

Question 18

Demand characteristics
(performance cues, role attitude, preexisting attitude)

Answer 18

• cues provided by the researchers about the purpose of the study and expected behaviour
• performance cues: participant formulates a hypothesis on what the idea is about -> influence behaviour
• role attitude cues: participant get cues on how theyre supposed to behave
• preexisting attitudes: cooperative or apprehensive or negative

Question 19

Experimenter bias
( +expectancy effects
+reducing the bias )

Answer 19

• experimenter can unintentionally influence participant (e.g. gestures, mimic, clothes, etc.)
• expectancy effects: researchers preconcieved ideas about how participants should behave are subtly communicated to subject, and in turn affect the participants behaviour
• SOLUTION: single- or double-blind, automatizing the experiment

Question 20

Manipulation check (of a dependent variable)

Answer 20

• tests whether or not independent variable had the intended effect on the participant or not

Question 21

Behavioural categories
(observational research)

Answer 21

general and specific categories of behaviour you are interested in observing

Question 22

Methods for quantifying behaviour
(observational research)

Answer 22

• frequency: # of times a behaviour occurs within a period
• duration: how long a behaviour lasts
• intervals: dividing observation into time intervals

Question 23

Methods of coding behaviour
(observational research)

Answer 23

• paper-and-pencil
• audio recorder

Question 24

Observer bias

->solution?

Answer 24

• occurs when observers know the goal of the study or the hypotheses you are testing & their observations are influenced by this info
• SOLUTION: blind observers

Question 25

Quantitative data

Answer 25

- counting/quantifying data of behaviour (rating scales) + -> wide range of statistical tests available

Question 26

Qualitative data

Answer 26

- written records of observed data that are analyzed statistically - -> large amounts of data, needs specialized computers to analyze the data

Question 27

Quantitative vs qualitative?

Answer 27

both.

Question 28

Naturalistic observation (definition, advantages & disadvantages)

Answer 28

- observing subjects in their natural habitat; nonexperimental + -> good insight into behaviour, extremely high external validity - -> time consuming & expensive, no insight into underlying causes

Question 29

Unobtrusive observation (observational research, nonexperimental)

Answer 29

observations that dont alter the natural behaviours of the subject (e.g. you hiding from view)

Question 30

Etnography (observational research, nonexperimental) - participant/nonparticipant; overt or covert

Answer 30

- researcher becomes immersed in the behavioural/social system of the studied group - used to study cultures, "undercover agent" - overt (participants know) - covert (unobtrusive)

Question 31

Sociometry & Sociogram (observational research, nonexperimental)

Answer 31

- identifying & measuring interpersonal relationships in a group - sociogram: graphic representation of the results (measured interpersonal relationships)

Question 32

Case history (observational, nonexperimental)

Answer 32

- descriptive technique of studying (observing) one or more previous cases and reporting on them

Question 33

Archival research (observational, nonexperimental)

Answer 33

- studying existing records with a specific question in mind

Question 34

Kinds of questionnaire items

Answer 34

- open-ended: respond in own words, highly accurate - restricted: both positive &negative, short, mutually exclusive - partially open-ended: similar to restricted + added "other: " category - rating scales

Question 35

6 ways of administering questionnaires

Answer 35

- mail survey - internet survey - telephone survey - group administered survey - face-to-face interview - mixed-mode