Exam 3: Defining and Measuring Variables

If people score high on one measure and also score high on another measure, there is ____.

Which type of validity requires multiple research studies, usually conducted over a long period of time?

Describe one of the modalities of measurement (behavioral, self-report, or physiological), and discuss both the advantages and the limitations of this modality.

A research study reports that participants who scored high on a new test measuring relationship satisfaction had more physical contact with their romantic partners during an interview whereas participants who scored low on the test avoided physical contact with their romantic partners. Assuming that more physical contact is associated with higher relationship satisfaction, this study is a demonstration of ____ validity.

If people score high on one measure and score low on another measure, there is ____

Describe one potential artifact (experimenter bias or reactivity) and how it threatens both the internal and external validity of a study.

When using operational definitions, it is important to keep in mind that the operational definition ____.

Which relationship described below illustrates a negative relationship?

To determine how much difference there is between two individuals with respect to some characteristic, you must use either an interval or a ratio scale of measurement.

A measurement procedure can be reliable without being valid.

Demonstrating the grade point averages for a group of college students are positively related to their SAT scores is a demonstration of predictive validity for the SAT.

What term refers to a variable that cannot be observed or measured directly but is useful for describing and explaining behavior?

What is demonstrated by showing that the test scores measured today for a group of individuals are nearly identical to the scores obtained with the same measurement procedure last week?

What additional information is obtained by measuring on an interval scale as compared to an ordinal scale?

Men's shirt sizes are classified as small, medium, large, and extra-large. This is an example of measurement on a nominal scale.

A valid measure is one that yields highly similar results across different experimental conditions.

Using the amount of class participation as a definition of self-confidence is an example of an operational definition.

One researcher is comparing two different varieties of genetically engineered tomatoes to determine whether one produces more food (by weight) than the other. A second researcher is comparing two different workplace training programs to determine whether one program produces a higher level of workplace motivation than the other. Explain why the first researcher is probably not concerned about reliability and validity of measurement, whereas the second researcher is likely concerned with these measurements.

A researcher developed a new intelligence test for elementary school children. However, the researcher fears that the scores from the test may actually be measuring the children's reading ability. To show that the test is really measuring intelligence and not reading ability, the researcher must demonstrate ____validity.

Using a survey to measure students' food preferences is an example of the behavioral modality of measurement.