Basic Research Methods Deck 4

Flashcards covering different types of claims (frequency, association, causal) and the Big Four Validities (Construct, External, Statistical, Internal) and their application to each claim type, as well as criteria for causation and prioritizing validities.

Q1. What type of claim is “Marijuana is the most popular street drug used worldwide”?

A1. Frequency claim – it reports a single measured variable (drug use) and describes its rate or level in the population.

Q2. What type of claim is “Breastfeeding may boost children’s IQ”?

A2. Causal claim – it proposes that one variable (breastfeeding) causes a change in another (IQ).

Q3. What type of claim is “Boredom blamed for murders”?

A3. Causal claim – it asserts that boredom causes murders.

Q4. What type of claim is “Teen birth rate hits historic low”?

A4. Frequency claim – it describes a single variable (teen birth rate) and its level.

Q5. What type of claim is “TikTok users get worse grades than non-users”?

A5. Association claim – it tests whether two measured variables (TikTok use and grades) are related.

Q6. Which validities are evaluated for frequency claims?

A6. Construct, External, and Statistical validity. Internal validity is not relevant because no causal relationship is tested.

Q7. How is construct validity assessed for a frequency claim?

A7. Examine how well the variable is measured or operationalized. Example questions: How did researchers define the construct? Were the measures appropriate?

Q8. How is external validity assessed for a frequency claim?

A8. Determine how well results generalize beyond the sample. Key questions: How was the sample selected? Is it representative of the target population?

Q9. How is statistical validity assessed for a frequency claim?

A9. Check how well the numbers support the claim: accuracy of the estimate, margin of error, and replication evidence.

Q10. Which validities are important for association claims?

A10. Construct, External, and Statistical validity.

Q11. How is construct validity evaluated for association claims?

A11. Determine whether the variables were measured accurately and consistently.

Q12. How is external validity evaluated for association claims?

A12. Consider how well the association would generalize to other people, settings, or times. Examine sampling methods.

Q13. How is statistical validity evaluated for association claims?

A13. Assess the strength and significance of the correlation or relationship. Key questions: How strong is the association? Is it statistically significant? Has it been replicated?

Q14. Which validities are crucial for causal claims?

A14. Construct, External, Statistical, and Internal validity.

Q15. How is construct validity assessed in causal claims?

A15. Examine how well the independent variable was manipulated and the dependent variable measured.

Q16. How is external validity assessed in causal claims?

A16. Determine whether the sample and setting allow the results to generalize to other populations and contexts.

Q17. How is statistical validity assessed in causal claims?

A17. Evaluate the strength and significance of the effect and the precision of the estimate.

Q18. Why is internal validity critical for causal claims?

A18. It ensures that the change in the dependent variable is due to the independent variable and not to alternative explanations (confounds).

Q19. What are the three criteria for causation?

A19. 1. Covariance: As A changes, B changes. 2. Temporal precedence: A occurs before B in time. 3. Internal validity: No plausible alternative explanations; A is the only factor that changed.

Q20. Which research design best supports causal claims?

A20. Experiments, because they allow manipulation of the independent variable and control of confounding variables.

Q21. Which validity is prioritized for frequency claims?

A21. External validity (to generalize rates to a population) is typically prioritized, though construct and statistical validity are still important.

Q22. Which validity is prioritized for causal claims?

A22. Internal validity is prioritized to rule out alternative explanations and establish causation.

What is Covariance

Covariance: As A changes, B changes.

What is Temporal Presedence

Temporal precedence: A occurs before B in time.

What is Internal Validity

Internal validity: No plausible alternative explanations; A is the only factor that changed.