Research Methods in Psychology Second Edition

1. Research Methods in PsychologySecond Edition Lecture Slides by Dana B. Narter, Ph.D.

2. Three Claims, Four Validities: Interrogation Tools for Consumers of Research Chapter 3

3. Chapter Overview • Variables • Three claims • Interrogating the three claims using the four big validities • Prioritizing validities

4. Variables • Variables vs. constants • Measured and manipulated variables • From conceptual variable to operational definition

5. Measured and Manipulated Variables • Measured variables are observed and recorded. • Manipulated variables are controlled. • Some variables can only be measured—not manipulated. • Some variables can be either manipulated or measured.

6. From Conceptual Variable to Operational Definition

7. Operationalizing “Texting While Driving”

8. Three Claims • Frequency claims • Association claims • Causal claims • Not all claims are based on research.

9. Frequency Claims • Frequency claims describe a particular rate or degree of a single variable. • Frequency claims involve only ONE MEASURED VARIABLE.

10. Association Claims • Association claims argue that one level of a variable is likely to be associated with a particular level of another variable. • Association claims involve at least TWO MEASURED VARIABLES. • Variables that are associated are correlated.

11. Positive Association

12. Negative Association

13. Zero Association

14. Making Predictions Based On Associations • Some association claims are useful because they help us make predictions. • The stronger the association between the two variables, the more accurate the prediction. • Both positive and negative associations can help us make predictions, but zero associations cannot.

15. Causal Claims

16. Verbs for Association and Causal Claims

17. Not All Claims Are Based On Research • Not all claims we read about in the popular press are based on research. • Some claims are based on experience, intuition, or authority.

18. Interrogating the Three Claims Using the Four Big Validities • Interrogating frequency claims • Interrogating association claims • Interrogating causal claims

19. The Four Big Validities

20. Interrogating Frequency Claims • Construct validity • External validity (generalizability) • Statistical validity

21. Interrogating Association Claims • Construct validity • External validity • Statistical validity

22. Statistical Validity of Association Claims • Strength and significance • Avoiding two mistaken conclusions • Type I error • Type II error

23. Table 3.5: Interrogating the Three Types of Claims Using the Four Big Validities

24. Interrogating Causal Claims • Three criteria for causation • Covariance • Temporal precedence • Internal validity

25. Experiments Can Support Causal Claims • Experiment • Independent variable • Dependent variable • Random assignment

26. When Causal Claims Are A Mistake • Do family meals really curb eating disorders? • Do early language skills reduce preschool tantrums?

27. Other Validities To Interrogate In Causal Claims • Construct validity • External validity • Statistical validity

28. Prioritizing Validities • Which of the four validities is the most important? • It depends on what kind of claim the researcher is making and what her priorities are.

29. This concludes the Lecture Slides for Chapter 3 Research Methods in Psychology Second Edition by Beth Morling For more resources to accompany this text, see wwnorton.com/instructors and everydayresearchmethods.com.