PSYC 302: Chapter 3 (Three Claims, Four Validities: Interrogation Tools for Consumers of Research)

casual claim

1. Aggressive video games lead to aggressive thoughts in players. 2. MMR shot does not cause autism, large study says.

frequency claim

1. Sixteen percent of teens have considered suicide. 2. Fourty-four percent of Americans struggle to stay happy.

association claim

1. Those with ADHD do one month less work a year. 2. Shy people are better at reading facial expressions.

In a frequency claim, using 1._________ can help improve 2.__________ validity. In a causal claim, using 3.__________ can help improve 4.____________ validity. In any claim, using 5.____________ can help improve 6._____________ validity.

1. a margin of error 2. statistical 3. random assignment 4. internal 5. a representative sample 6. external

construct validity

A variable is operationalized well.

Researchers want to know if the age at which one begins using a cell phone changes how extroverted one is. In this context, determine whether or not the terms apply to the concept of "extroverted."

Applies: 1. measured 2. Variable 3. Conceptual Does not apply: 1. Constant 2. operational 3. Manipulated

Determine whether or not the validity types are appropriate to interrogate for this study. A recent study investigated if watching Internet cat videos causes online viewers to have less stress. The study recruited a diverse sample of online participants and had them watch a video with kittens. The participants were then given a measure of stress. A valid statistical test showed that after watching the video participants had less stress.

Appropriate: 1. Statistical 2.internal Not Appropriate: 1. external 2. Construct

Researchers are investigating whether middle school children differ significantly in their critical-thinking ability by measuring the differences between sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Each student at Tannenbaum Middle School receives the same intelligence test, and then the students' scores are compared. Researchers also record the age of the students to see if age affects performance on the test. Only participants whose first language is English are used. Identify whether each item should be either a constant or a variable in this particular study.

Constant: 1. middle school location 2. Student primary language 3. type of intelligence test Variable: 1. Student age 2. Student grade level 3. Intelligence scores

Two frequency claims are presented together: "Ice cream sales are at a record high" and "Summer heat breaks numerous records." What claim can be safely made?

Each claim by itself is true, and no other claims can be made

Sort the validities as either higher or lower priority in the context of this experiment. Kurt is conducting an experiment on how children respond to different types of math problems. He is giving some children problems with pictures and some children problems without pictures, and he will measure which group gets more problems right. For his research, Kurt wants to be certain that his manipulation is the cause of any group differences and that his statistical conclusions will be accurate.

Higher priority: 1. internal validity 2. statistical validity Lower priority: 1. external validity 2. construct validity

Read the example and fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. JoAnn is interested in the availability of mental health care for patients admitted to the emergency room. She is limited in how much time she is allowed to spend with each patient, as many emergency room patients move in and out rapidly. She decides to use a shorter, less reliable measure of mental health care availability in favor of getting as many patients as possible, in order to represent people of many different backgrounds, illnesses, and injuries.

In this example, JoAnn is sacrificing CONSTRUCT validity to strengthen her EXTERNAL validity.

Match each operationalized variable to its conceptual counterpart.

Persuasiveness: 1. number of strong arguments versus weak arguments. happiness: 1. amount of time someone smiles per day. education: 1. number of years in school. pain tolerence: 1. amount of time hand is held in ice-cold water. absenteeism: 1. number of meetings missed per week.

Determine whether or not the following qualities are required to make a causal claim.

Required: 1. Two variables must be correlated. 2.One variable must occur before the other. 3. No other explanations exist. Not Required: 1. Two variables are measured. 2. The claim describes one variable.

extrenal validity

Result generalize to the population discussed.

statistical validity

Results are accurate and reasonable.

internal validity

The relationship between two variables is genuine.

Sort the statements either true or false

True: 1. In experiments, internal validity is often the first priority. 2. Scientists weigh pros and cons of research to determine which validity to emphasize. False: 1. A study must have maximum levels of all validities in order to be viable. 2. Researchers should try to maximize all types of validities in every study.

Sort the statements as either true or false.

True: 1. Not all claims presented in the media are based on research. 2. A frequency claim does not have to have an actual number. False: 1. Causal claims that use tentative language are actually association claims. 2.Two frequency claims in the same data set can be combined into an association claim.

Sort the statements either true or false:

True: 1. Scientists weigh pros and cons of research to determine which validity to emphasize. 2. In experiments, internal validity is often the first priority. False: 1. Researchers should try to maximize all types of validities in every study. 2. A study must have maximum levels of all validities in order to be viable.

Sort the following as either Type I or Type II errors.

Type 1 Error: 1. Two variables are improperly claimed to be related. 2. False Positive 3. MMR shots are said to cause autism, which is later disproven. Type 2 Error: 1. Climate change initially thought to be normal is shown to be caused by humans. 2.Two variables are improperly said to not be related. 3. miss

Drag each claim to the plot that best represents it.

dots spread out going downward left: example of topic: Increased narcotic use is associated with fewer long-term goals. dots going upward to the right. example of topic: more you study, higher gpa dots everywhere (zero) example of topic: Hours spent listening to classical music is not associated with infant intelligence.