PSYC 3050 Chapter : Chapter 2
Document Summary
Science- process of generating a body of knowledge. Independent variable- predictors, precursors, and antecedents (participation) Dependent variable- criteria, outcomes, and consequences (job satisfaction: common dependent variables, performance, profits, costs, job attitudes, salary, promotion, attendance behaviors, motivations. Manipulate independent variable and measure effect on dependent variable. Extraneous variable- (confounding variable) anything other than independent variable that can contaminate the results/ thought of as alternative to casual explanation: ways of control, extraneous variable held constant, manipulate different levels of variable, statistical control, validity. External validity- extent to which results obtained in experiment generalize to other people, settings, and time: always empirical question, answered through experimentation, experience, and observation. Construct validity- measuring underlying construct it was intended to measure: construct- abstract quality such as intelligence/motivation that is not observable and difficult to measure. Content validity- test/predictor covers a representative sample of quality being addressed. Criterion related validity- whether test is good predictor of attitudes, behaviors, or performance.
