Question 1

Validity is closely related to the principle of operationalization, which addresses how variables are measured.

Accepted Answer

Operationalization involves defining how variables are measured or manipulated in a study, which is crucial for ensuring the validity of the research. Validity refers to how well a test measures what it is supposed to measure, and operationalization is a key step in achieving this goal by clearly specifying the variables involved.

Question 2

Oftentimes a single measure may not provide a true measure of a variable. In this case, researchers can combine several different measures together.

Accepted Answer

Combining several different measures can provide a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of a variable, as it allows for the capture of multiple facets or dimensions of the variable in question.

Question 3

Higher values of Cronbach's alpha represent higher reliability of a certain scale or index.

Accepted Answer

Cronbach's alpha is a measure of internal consistency, meaning that higher values (typically above 0.7) indicate that the items within the scale or index are consistently measuring the same underlying concept, thus representing higher reliability.

Question 4

Many researchers make a useful analogy to help understand validity and reliability when developing a case by comparing them to a target and marksmanship. The tightness of the bullet holes reflects validity.

Accepted Answer

The tightness of the bullet holes reflects reliability, as it shows consistency in hitting the same spot. Validity, in this analogy, would be how close the shots are to the bullseye, indicating how well the test measures what it is supposed to.

Question 5

Reliability can be tested in several methods, including test-retest reliability, intraobserver reliability, interitem reliability, and alternate-forms reliability.

Accepted Answer

These methods are all established ways to assess the reliability of a measurement tool. Test-retest reliability checks consistency over time, intraobserver reliability assesses the consistency of the same observer, interitem reliability (often referred to as internal consistency) evaluates the consistency among multiple items within a test, and alternate-forms reliability measures the consistency of two different versions of a test.

Question 6

Natural disaster or climate change is the only example of history threatening internal validity.

Accepted Answer

There are many factors that can threaten internal validity, including participant dropout, maturation of subjects, and instrumentation changes, not just natural disasters or climate change.

Question 7

History is the most difficult threat to internal validity because there is not much to mitigate its effect.

Accepted Answer

History is the most difficult threat to internal validity because it is difficult to control for all of the factors that may have influenced the outcome of a study.

Question 8

Testing effect is a problem when change in the measuring instrument is made between pretest and posttest.

Accepted Answer

The testing effect refers to the improvement in test performance due to the practice or familiarity gained from taking the test previously, not to changes in the measuring instrument.

Question 9

Because of statistical regression, it is important to analyze the data for outliers and consider their effects.

Accepted Answer

Statistical regression analysis can be significantly influenced by outliers, as they can skew the results and lead to incorrect conclusions. Therefore, analyzing data for outliers and considering their effects is crucial for accurate analysis.

Question 10

The best way to overcome selection bias is to use randomization when assigning research participants to different groups.

Accepted Answer

Randomization helps ensure that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group, thus minimizing the risk of selection bias and making the groups more comparable.

Question 11

Diffusion of treatment in regards to validity and reliability means that the stimulus in an experiment was administered on time.

Accepted Answer

Diffusion of treatment refers to the spread of the experimental treatment to the control group, which can threaten the internal validity of an experiment by making it difficult to attribute outcomes solely to the experimental treatment.

Question 12

More than one threat to internal validity can occur simultaneously, which can be named confounding interactions.

Accepted Answer

Multiple threats to internal validity can indeed occur at the same time, and their interaction can create complex confounding effects that challenge the clear interpretation of experimental results.

Question 13

The Hawthorne effect and placebo effect are examples of reactivity.

Accepted Answer

Both the Hawthorne effect (where individuals modify an aspect of their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed) and the placebo effect (where individuals experience a perceived improvement in condition due to their expectations, rather than any active component of a treatment) are examples of reactivity, as they involve changes in behavior or perception in response to the awareness of being part of a study or treatment.

Question 14

Criterion validity determines how well a measure covers the meanings included in the concept.

Accepted Answer

Criterion validity assesses how well one measure predicts an outcome based on other measures, rather than covering the meanings included in the concept, which is more related to content validity.

Question 15

To reify something means to treat something that is not real as if it were real.

Accepted Answer

Reification involves treating an abstract concept, idea, or theoretical construct as if it were a concrete, tangible object or real entity.

Question 16

Which of the following is closely related to the term validity?

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the extent to which a concept, conclusion, or measurement is well-founded and likely corresponds accurately to the real world. Thus, it encompasses approximation to the truth, reflection of characteristics or property in the real world, and accuracy.

Question 17

Which of the following is closely related to the term reliability?

Accepted Answer

Reliability in measurement and testing contexts refers to the degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results. Thus, it encompasses consistency, repeatability, and precision, making all of the options correct in relation to reliability.

Question 18

To improve the reliability of an instrument, researchers may use the same exam or questionnaire more than one time, which is known as __________.

Accepted Answer

Test-retest reliability involves using the same exam or questionnaire more than one time to measure the consistency of the results over time, ensuring the instrument's reliability.

Question 19

Qualitative researchers make observations more than one time, and the same result is obtained, which is called ___________ reliability.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Qualitative researchers make observations more than one...

Question 20

To determine reliability, researchers can take multiple questions when measuring the factor of interest, which is known as __________ reliability.

Accepted Answer

Interim reliability, also known as internal consistency, involves using multiple questions to measure the same factor to ensure consistency in the responses.

Quiz 4: Validity and Reliability: Threats to Research Integrity