Construct Validity

concerns whether our methods of studying variables is accurate

Internal Validity

refers to the accuracy of conclusions about cause and effect

External Validity

concerns whether we can generalize the findings of a study to other settings

Variable

any event, situation, behavior, or individual characteristic that varies

Operational Definition

of a Variable

set of procedures used to measure or manipulate the variable

Positive Linear 
Relationship 

increases in the values of one variable accompanied by an increase in the value of the second variable

Negative Linear

Relationship

increases in the value of one variable accompanied a decrease in the

second variable

Curvillinear Relationship

increases in the value of one variable accompanied by a systematic increase and decrease in the value of the

second variable

Correlation Coefficient

a numerical index of the strength of relationship between variables

Nonexperimental Method

relationships are studied by making observations or measures of the variable of interest

(3rd variable problem)

Emperimental Method

The Third Variable Problem

there may be a ralationship between two variable because of a 3rd variable

Randomization

ensures that the extraneous variable is just as likely to affect one experimental group as it is to affect the other groups

Independent Variable

(I.V.)

the variable considered to be the cause, or the groups in the experiment
(i.e. male/female)

Dependent Variable

(D.V.)

variable that is the effect, or the variable that is being measured 

 (anxiety; intoxication level)

Reliability

refers to the consistency or stability of a measure of behavior

Test-Retest Reliability

assessed by measuring the same individuals at two points in time

Internal Consistency Reliability

the assessment of reliability using responses onlt at one time

Split-Half Reliability

correlation of the total score on one-half the test with the total score on the other half

Cronbach's Alpha

indicator of reliability based on internal consistency; provide the average of all possible split-half reliability coefficients

Interrater Reliability

the extent to which raters agree in

their observations

Face Validity

accurate at face-value; measure appears "on the face of it" to measure what is supposed to be measure 

Content Validity

comparing the content of the measurment with the universe of conduct that defines construct

Predictive Validity

research that uses a measure to predict some future behavior

Concurrent Validity

demonstrated by research that examines the relationship between the measure and a criterion behavior at the same time

Convergent Validity

extenet to which scores on the measure in question are related to scores on other measures of the same construct or similar construct

Discriminant Validity

when the measurement is NOT related to the variable with which it should not be related

Reactivity

if awareness of being measured changes an individual's behavior

Nominal Scale

categories with no numerical or quantitative properties 

(male/female; British/American)

Oridinal Scale

allows us to rank order the levels of the variable being studied

(1,2,3,4,5-star Hotel; strongly agree-strongly disagree)

Interval Scale

difference between the numbers on the scale is meaningful (predictable)

(temperature)

Ratio Scale

have an absolute zero point that indicates the absence of the variable being measured

(reaction time; mass)

Confounding Varible

varies along with the I.V.; confounding occurs when the effects of the I.V. and an uncontrolled variable are intertwined so you cannot determine which of the varibles is responsible for the observed effect

Posttest Only Design

1)obtain 2 equivalent groups of participants; 2) introduce the I.V.; 3)measure the effect of the I.V. on the D.V. 

Pretest-Posttest Design

Attribution/Mortality

the "drop-out factor" in which results in less colletive information because a participant(s)chose not to continue on in the experiment thus their results must be removed from the experiment

Independent Groups

Design

participants are randomly assigned to the various conditions so that each participates in only one group

Repeated Measures

Design

each participant is assigned to both levels of the I.V. in an experiment with two conditions

Within Subjects

Design

comparisons are made within the same group of participants 

Order Effect

when the order of presenting the treatments affects the D.V.

Practice/Learning Effect

when performance on the second task might improve because of practice gained on the first task

Fatigue Effect

deterioration in performance from the first to the second condition as participants becomes tired,

bored, or distracted

Counterbalancing

all possible orders of presentation are included in the experiment

Latin Squares

limited set of orders constructed to ensure that: 1) each condition appears at each ordinal point; 2) each condition precedes & follows each condition one time

'Setting the Stage'

supply participants with necessary information in order to provide their informed consent to paticipate

Straightforward

Manipulation 

manipulate I.V. by presenting written, verbal, or visual material to participants

Staged Manipulation

stage events during experiment in order to manipulate the I.V. successfully

Confederate/Accomplice

appears to be another participant in the experiment but is actually part of the manipulation

Self-Report Measures

questionnaire; measure of attitude/judgement;
(Stongly Disagree- 1  2  3  4  5 -Strongly Agree)

Behavioral Measures

direct observation of behaviors

Physiological Measures

Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)

Electromyogram (EMG)

electroencephalogram (EEG)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Functional MRI (fMRI) 

Ceiling Effect

I.V. appears to have no effect on the dependent measure only because participants quickly reach maximum performance

(too easy)

Floor Effect

task is so difficult that hardly any participant can perform it well

Demand Characteristics

any feature of an experiment that might inform participants of the purpose of the study

Pilot Study

researcher does a trial run with a small number of participants to make sure the experiment will run smoothly

Manipulation Checks

attempt to directly measure whether the I.V. manipulation has the intended effect on the participants