PSYC 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Research, Phenotype, Evolutionary Psychology

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: Jill L Atkinson

Document Summary

Objective measurements measure of an entity or behaviour that, within an allowed margin of error, is consistent across instruments and observers. Variable the object, concept or event being measured. Operational definitions statements that describe procedures (or operations) and specific measures that are used to record observations. Validity degree to which an instrument or procedure actually measures what it claims to measure. Reliability when it provides consistent and stable answers across multiple observations and points in time. Test-retest reliability examines whether scores on a given measure of behaviour are consistent across test sessions. Alternate-forms reliability examines whether different forms of the same test produce the same results. Inter-rate reliability the raters agree on the measurements that were taken. Generalizability the degree to which one set of results can be applied to other situations, individuals or events. Population group that researchers wan to generalize about.