Step 3 of the Research Process: Defining and Measuring Variables

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to defining and measuring variables in the research process.

Observational Measurements

Metrics or data collected to assess specific variables in a study.

Ceiling Effect

A situation where scores are clustered at the high end of a measurement scale, limiting the ability to detect differences.

Floor Effect

A situation where scores are clustered at the low end of a measurement scale, making it difficult to observe change.

Artifact

An external factor that can distort measurements, such as experimenter bias or demand characteristics.

Experimenter Bias

The influence that a researcher's expectations or beliefs can have on the outcome of a study.

Demand Characteristics

Aspects of a study that indicate to participants how they are expected to behave.

Participant Reactivity

Changes in a participant's behavior due to their awareness of being observed during a study.

Good Subject Role

A participant's attempt to behave in a way that supports the hypothesis of a study.

Negativistic Subject Role

A participant's intentional effort to act contrary to the hypothesis of a study.

Split-half Reliability

A measure of consistency between two halves of a test, indicating its reliability.

Cohen's Kappa

A statistical measure of inter-rater agreement that accounts for chance.

Cronbach’s Alpha

A measure of internal consistency for tests with multiple items or responses.

Sensitivity

The ability of a measurement instrument to detect change when it occurs.