PSYC 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2.1: Kilogram, Operational Definition, Demand Characteristics

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1000
• Professor: Benjamin Giguere

Document Summary

It is based on measurements that are objective, valid and reliable. Objective measurements: the measure of an entity or behaviour that within an allowed margin of error, is consistent across instruments and observers. The way it is measured has to be the same regardless of who is doing the measurement and what tool they are using. Example: one kilogram in canada is the same as one kilogram in the us. However, your measurements will vary very slightly from one scale to another, this is the margin of error. Scientists in the given field decide on how much variability is allowed. Variable: the object, concept, or event being measured. It is possible to examine the same variable using a number of different techniques. Any method used by a researcher to measure a variable needs to include carefully defined terms. Operational definition: statements that describe the procedures and specific measures that are used to record observations.