Validity

• What does validity refer to in research?

  How genuine an observed effect is
• Can reliable data be invalid?

  Yes, reliable data can be invalid
• What is internal validity?

  Results due to manipulation of the independent variable
• How do demand characteristics affect internal validity?

  They reduce the internal validity of a study
• What is external validity?

  How findings can be generalized to other settings
• What does ecological validity refer to?

  Generalizing findings to everyday life
• What is temporal validity?

  Whether findings hold true over time
• What are the ways of assessing validity?

  • Face Validity
  • Concurrent Validity
• What is face validity?

  Measure appears to measure what it should
• How is concurrent validity defined?

  Relation to an existing similar measure
• What indicates high concurrent validity?

  Results close to another established test
• How can validity be improved in research?

  • Use control groups
  • Standardized procedures
  • Single-blind and double-blind procedures
  • Implement lie scales in questionnaires
  • Conduct covert observations
  • Define clear behavioral categories
  • Utilize triangulation in qualitative research
• What is the purpose of a control group in experiments?

  To assess changes in the dependent variable
• How do standardized procedures improve validity?

  Minimize participant reactivity and investigator effects
• What is the effect of single-blind procedures?

  Reduces the effect of demand characteristics
• What do double-blind procedures reduce?

  Impact of demand characteristics and investigator effects
• What is the purpose of a lie scale in questionnaires?

  To assess consistency of responses
• How do covert observations affect ecological validity?

  They likely increase ecological validity
• What is the impact of broad behavioral categories?

  May negatively affect validity of data
• How do qualitative research methods reflect participant reality?

  Provide depth and detail compared to quantitative methods
• What is triangulation in research?

  Using different sources as evidence