PSYA01H3 Chapter 2: Textbook Notes.docx
Document Summary
Psya01 chapter 2 notes reading and evaluating scientific research. Five characteristics of quality scientific research: based on measurements that are objective, valid, and reliable, can be generalized, uses techniques that reduce bias, made public, can be replicated. Objective measurement the 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 the procedures (or operations) and specific measures that are used to record observations. Data the information they record from observations. Validity the degree to which an instrument or procedure actually measures what it claims to measure. Inter-rater reliability meaning that the raters agree on measurements that were taken. Generalizability refers to the degree to which one set of results can be applied to other situations, individuals, or events. Population the group that researchers want to generalize about. Sample a select group of population members.
