validity

Question 1

what is validity ?

Answer 1

refers to whether a test or study measures what it actually claims to measure

Question 2

types of validity

Answer 2

internal
external - ecological , temporal , population

Question 3

what is internal validity ?

Answer 3

whether the observed effect in an experiment is due to the manipulation of the IV and not another factor
- demand characteristics can affect internal validity

Question 4

what is external validity and the different types ?

Answer 4

refers to our ability to generalise the results of our study to real life settings
ecological validity - can the investigation be generalised to real life experiences
temporal validity - if the investigation can be generalised to other times
population validity - can we generalise these results to people beyond the sample

Question 5

2 ways we could assess validity and explain

Answer 5

face validity - whether the test looks like it is going to measure what it is supposed to measure
concurrent validity - compared new measurement with a previous already validated measurement . the results from the new measurement should be similar

Question 6

how to improve validity in qualitative methods ?

Answer 6

interviews and case studies are thought to have high ecological validity buy can be subjective so could right a coherent report with direct quotes , use loads of different sources to collect evidence

Question 7

how to improve validity in observations ?

Answer 7

covert observation - higher ecological validity , less demand characteristics and researchers bias
precise operatanlised categories will develop more valid data

Question 8

how to improve validity in questionnaires ?

Answer 8

use a lie scale which is a set of questions phrased in a similar way in order to test truthfulness of the answers and this asseses consistency of response
could also assure respondents all data is anonymous so likely to give honest answers

Question 9

how to improve validity in experiments ?

Answer 9

using a control group makes it better able to see changes in the IV has had an effect on the DV
both demand characteristics and investigator effects affect the validity so could use single or double blind tests