Types of validity across all methods of investigation

• Describe what is meant by validity

  • Describes whether an observed effect is genuine and represents what actually out there in the real world
  • Validity is whether a result is legitamate
• Explain how a study can be reliable but not valid

  • A study may produce the same result each time
  • But is may not measure what it’s designed to
• Explain what is meant by ecological validity

  • Refers to the extent findings in a study can be generalised from one setting to another
  • How effectively the design of the study and the setting represents everyday - mundane realism
• Explain what is meant by temporal validity

  • Refers to whether findings from particular study or concept hod true over time
  • E.g. Asch’s study may lack temporal validity as it was conducted in a particularly conformist era of American history
• Describe what is meant by face validity and how it can be used to asses validity

  • Describes whether a test looks like it measures what is should
  • This can be achieved by eyeballing the measuring instrument and passing it onto an expert to check
• Give an example of how a study can have high concurrent validity

  • If there is close agreement between two set of data
  • Two sets of data can be compared and close agreement would be seen in if correlation exceeds +80
• Describe how improvements to experiments can improve validity

  • The addition of a control group can help the researcher feel more confident that changes to the DV were a result of manipulation to the IV
  • Standardized procedures may also minimise the impact of participants reactivity and investigator effects. This can be done through double-blind or single blind procedures
• Describe what is meant by concurrent validity

  Is when the results obtained by a particular study are similar to one from an already well-established study
• Outline what is meant by a single-bind procedure

  • When participants are not made aware of the aims of the study until they have taken part
  • This reduces demand characterises
• Outline what is meant by a double-bind procedure

  • A third party conducts the investigation without knowledge of the purpose
  • This reduces demand characterises and investigator effects - thus improving validity
• Describe how improving questionnaires can improve validity

  • Lie scales can control the effects of social desirability bias
  • Respondents to all data should remain anonymous
• Explain how observations can produce better validity

  • Behavioural categories which are well-defined
  • Thoroughly operationalised
  • Not ambiguous
  • Non-overlapping
• Describe what is meant by interpretative validity and how it cam be improved

  • The extent to which researchers interpretation matches the participants experience in case studies and qualitative data
  • It can be improved through the use of direct quotes from the participant in the report or continuing coherent research and assessments throughout the report
• Describe what is meant by triangulation

  • The use of a number of different sources as evidence
  • Data compiled from friends and family interviews, observations and diaries