Research Methods Quiz 1

Falsifiable

One of the characteristics of a good theory, means it is possible to prove wrong

Parsimonious

One of the characteristics of a good theory, means it is simplified and organized

Causal claim

One variable causes a change in another variable, There needs to be a relationship between the two variables, one variable needs to have come before the other, and there is are no confounding explanations, your claim is the only reason this could have happened.

External validity

Increased internal validity results in decreased

Internal validity

ruling out alternative causes and avoiding confounds

External validity

How much the results can generalize to other populations

Statistical validity

how reasonable a study’s numerical results are

Construct validity

how well a variable was measured or manipulated in a study

Interrater reliability

When two observers come to the same conclusion

Internal reliability

How different measures in the same test measure the same thing

External reliability

How repeatable a study is

Test-retest reliability

If the same group takes the same test and gets similar results

Discriminant validity

found by making sure there is not correlation with an unrelated variable

Predictive validity

How well a study can predict future outcomes

Convergent validity

Found by correlating with a similar variable

Applied research

Research done with a real world problem in mind

Basic research

Aims to enhance the general body of knowledge

Theory

A set of statements that describe general principles of how variables relate to each other

Three main validities to interrogate in an association claim

statistical, external, and construct validity