Research Design & Methodology Flashcards

A researcher conducts multiple statistical tests on the same dataset without correction. What error is most likely to increase?

Answer: Type I error rate

Conducting multiple tests inflates the Type I error rate (false positive rate), making it more likely to find spurious significant results.

Which concept describes the degree to which an instrument measures what it claims to measure?

Answer: Validity

Validity refers to whether a measurement instrument accurately measures the construct it is intended to assess.

In which research design does the same group of participants serve as both the experimental and control group at different time points?

Answer: Within-subjects (repeated measures) design

In a within-subjects design, each participant experiences all conditions, serving as their own control across time points.

A qualitative researcher conducts member checking by returning findings to participants for verification. This practice enhances:

Answer: Credibility (internal validity equivalent)

Member checking enhances credibility in qualitative research by allowing participants to confirm the accuracy of the researcher's interpretations.

When a study's results cannot be applied beyond the specific sample studied, the research lacks:

Answer: External validity

External validity refers to the generalizability of findings to other populations, settings, and time periods beyond the specific study.

What is the purpose of a pilot study in research design?

Answer: To test and refine procedures before the main study

A pilot study tests procedures, instruments, and protocols on a small scale to identify and correct problems before the full study.

Which factor threatens internal validity by causing participants to perform differently simply because they know they are being studied?

Answer: Hawthorne effect

The Hawthorne effect occurs when participants alter their behavior because they are aware of being observed, not because of the intervention.