Research Methods in Psychology

[blank_start]Internal Validity[blank_end]- were alternate explanations ruled out?

[blank_start]Construct Validity[blank_end]- were the variables measured well?

[blank_start]Statistical validity[blank_end]- were appropriate comparisons made and appropriate conclusions drawn?

A good theory is?

[blank_start]External Validity[blank_end]- can the findings be generalized?

Operational definition: Word length was operationally defined by presenting participants with words containing either 3 letters (short) or 8 letters (long). The measurement was [blank_start]categorical[blank_end] and the method was [blank_start]manipulated.[blank_end]

Operational Definition: Participants were divided into 3 groups based on whether they said they were often angry, sometimes angry, or rarely angry. The measurement was [blank_start]categorical[blank_end] and the method was [blank_start]self-report.[blank_end]

Operational definition: Study condition was operationally defined by instructing the participants to read a passage every day for five days (spaced) or five times in one day (cram). The measurement was [blank_start]categorical[blank_end], and the method was [blank_start]manipulated[blank_end].

Operational definition: Subjects were scored with respect to maternal behavior of mammals according to whether they were observed engaging in any of the identified behaviors (nest-building, infant retrieval, infant licking, nursing) in a 10-minute observation period. Animals engaging in 2 –5 bouts of any of the behaviors were scored as “moderate maternal;” animals engaging in more than 5 bouts were scored as “high maternal;” animals engaging in less than 2 bouts were scored as “low maternal.” The measurement was ___________ and the method was ___________.

You try to dispense a gallon of gas. The gas pump shows that it has dispensed one gallon of gas. It has dispensed .98 gallons. On the next trial, it shows that it has dispensed one gallon and has dispensed 1.01 gallons. On the final trial, it shows that it has dispensed one gallon and has dispensed .99 gallons. The pump is

You ask your high school teachers to estimate your intelligence (they have a really good idea of how intelligent you are!) Your teachers rate your intelligence as 135 (genius!). You then take an IQ test three times. Here are the results: Trial one: 98 (average) Trial two: 101 (average) Trial three: 99 (average) This IQ test is:

The best way to measure actions is with [blank_start]observation[blank_end].

The best way to measure ideas is [blank_start]self report[blank_end].

the best way to measure physical state is by [blank_start]monitoring[blank_end]

association claims: I wonder if x is related to y?

Causal claims: what is the effect of x on y?