AP Psychology : Representation, Norms, and Validity
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology
All AP Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Representation, Norms, And Validity
What is the difference between a study's validity and reliability?
A study is valid if it measures what it is supposed to measure and reliable if it produces different results every time
A study is valid if it does not measure what it is supposed to measure and reliable if it produces the same results every time
A study is valid if it measures what it is supposed to measure and reliable if it produces similar results every time
A study is reliable if it measures what it is supposed to measure and valid if it produces similar results every time
These terms are synonymous and both mean that the study is accurate
A study is valid if it measures what it is supposed to measure and reliable if it produces similar results every time
Validity and reliability are both important terms for experimental design and are both markers of a good study. A study is valid if it measures what it is supposed to measure and reliable if it produces similar results every time it is conducted. If it is not valid, then it cannot answer the hypothesis or be applied to the real world; furthermore, if it is not reliable, then the results cannot be trusted.
Example Question #22 : Representation, Norms, And Validity
Which of the following measures is reliable but not valid?
A scale that shows a different weight between 50-150 pounds every time you step on it
A scale that shows you between 140-160 pounds every time you step on it and you know you weigh 150 pound
A scale that shows you that you are 50 pounds every time you step on it, but you know that you are really 150 pounds
A scale that tells you that you weigh 200 pounds when you know you weigh 150
A scale that does not tell you a weight
A scale that shows you that you are 50 pounds every time you step on it, but you know that you are really 150 pounds
A study is valid if it measures what it is supposed to measure and reliable if it produces similar results every time. The choice that stated “a scale that shows you that you are 50 pounds every time you step on it (i.e. reliable), but you know that you are really 150 pounds (i.e. not valid)” is reliable but not valid.
Example Question #23 : Representation, Norms, And Validity
Which of the following measures is valid, but not very reliable?
A scale that shows a different weight between 50-150 pounds every time you step on it
A scale that tells you that you weigh 200 pounds when you know you weigh 150
A scale that shows you that you are 50 pounds every time you step on it, but you know that you are really 150 pounds
A scale that does not tell you a weight
A scale that shows you between 140-160 pounds every time you step on it and you know you weigh 150 pounds
A scale that shows you between 140-160 pounds every time you step on it and you know you weigh 150 pounds
A study is valid if it measures what it is supposed to measure and reliable if it produces similar results every time. The choice that stated “a scale that shows you between 140-160 pounds every time you step on it (not reliable) and you know you weigh 150 pounds (valid)” is valid but not very reliable.
Example Question #161 : Research And Testing
Dr. Andrews recruited a group of 50 American, 30-month-old children from English-speaking homes. After acquiring parental permission, he tracked their acquisition of language using various tasks and observational methods. He saw each child every 6 months for three years after the initial session: 3 years (36 months), 3.5 years, 4 years, 4.5 years, 5 years, 5.5 years, and 6 years. Based on the data he collected, he hopes to determine the universal sequence in which all children acquire certain phonemes.
Suppose Dr. Andrews discovers that the sequence of phoneme acquisition he infers from his data only applies to American children instead of all children globally. This means his study lacks which of the following?
External validity
Anonymity
Internal validity
Independence
External validity
Dr. Andrews’ study lacks external validity because his findings cannot be applied to the greater population. There is something about his sample—in this case, the fact that they all came from the United States and all were raised to speak English—that differs significantly from the greater population (i.e. not everyone in the world is a an English-speaking, American citizen); therefore, the results cannot be generalized to the entire population. A problem with internal validity would involve a problem with the proposed relationship between the measured variables (e.g. if Dr. Andrews had found that age and phoneme usage were completely unrelated or if Dr. Andrews discovered his methods for measuring phoneme acquisition were inaccurate). Anonymity is not mentioned in the description, but we can assume Dr. Andrews did not reveal any personally identifying information about his subjects; furthermore, anonymity would be unrelated to whether or not his results can be generalized to a larger group.
Example Question #24 : Representation, Norms, And Validity
Which of the following is an accurate definition of reliability?
None of these
A test is consistent and stable in measuring a trait
A test measures what is says that it measures
A test measures all parts of a construct
A test accurately predicts college GPA
A test is consistent and stable in measuring a trait
A test is reliable if it consistently measures what it is intended to measure. Reliability can be tested by giving the same test to the same group of people at two different points of time or giving two forms of a test to the same group of people at different points of time. Reliability is associated with the words "consistency" and "stability." All of the other choices are definitions of validity. A test has construct validity if it measures what it says that it measures. A test has content validity if it measures all aspects of a domain. A test has criterion validity if it can make a prediction based on test scores.
Example Question #25 : Representation, Norms, And Validity
What is the purpose of randomness during the selection process of participants for a study?
It ensures that each individual in a population has an equal chance to be chosen
It guarantees conclusive results
It completely eliminates the effects of random variables
It ensures equal representation of all groups within a population
It ensures that each individual in a population has an equal chance to be chosen
The purpose of random sampling methods is to ensure that one individual does not have a greater chance of selection than any other. Although random sampling reduces the effects of random variables, like error, they are not completely eliminated. Representation is not guaranteed, but is likely heightened. Although randomness does not ensure conclusive results, it helps to validate any results of a study against one that is not random.
All AP Psychology Resources
