validity

• what is validity

  the extent to which an observed effect is true. need to make sure it measures what it intends to. check if the observed effect can be generalised beyond the research setting where it was found
• internal validity

  whether the observed effects in an experiments are due to manipulation of the independent variable. one major threat to internal validity are demand characteristics
• what is ecological validity

  can findings from one research study be generalised to other settings e.g. everyday life.
• what is temporal validity

  can findings from one particular study, or the concepts within a study hold true over time.

  e.g. asch's study and freuds concept of penis envy are seen as outdated and therefore lacking temporal validity
• what is face validity


  the appearance of a test should look like what it claims to measure
• what is concurrent validity

  demonstrated when the results a test are close to or match the results obtained from another well recognised, pre established test
• how to improve the validity of experimental research

  • use a control group, so the researcher can assess whether changes to the dependent variable were due to the manipulation of the independent variable
  • use standardised procedures to minimise the effects of ppts reactivity and investigator effects on the validity of the outcomes
• how to improve the validity of questionnaires

  incorporate a lie scale within the questions to assess the consistency of a response and to control the effects of social desirability bias.

  validity can be further enhanced by assuring all respondents that their data submitted will remain anonymous