Research Comprehensive Exam Review: Methods Part 3

Front 1

Which of the four scales of measurement has a true zero?

Back 1

Ratio

Front 2

What is the difference between interval and ratio scales?

Back 2

Both scales are continuous and use equal units of measurement, but ratio scales have a true zero and ratio data can be compared in terms of proportions. Interval scales use an arbitrary zero - examples are IQ scores and Celsius temperature

Front 3

What type of data are class rankings?

Back 3

Ordinal

Front 4

Which of the four scales of measurement do not involve equal units?

Back 4

Nominal and Ordinal

Front 5

What is a construct?

Back 5

A hypothetical factor that is inferred from behavior, but cannot be observed directly

Front 6

What is an operational definition?

Back 6

A way of attaching a system of measurement to a construct:
* Must be replicable
* Must be a faithful proxy of the construct

Front 7

What are the characteristics of a reliable measure?

Back 7

Yields results that are consistent and repeatable, and include minimal measurement error

Front 8

Define validity

Back 8

The extent to which a measure of a construct truly measures that construct and not something else

Front 9

What is Classical Test Theory?

Back 9

a theory of reliability

Front 10

What are 4 assumptions of classical test theory?

Back 10

1. True scores are constant
2. Error is random
3. Correlation between true scores and error is 0
4. Correlation between errors on different measurement occasions is 0

In other words, true scores reflect systematic differences, while error is unsystematic (random).

Front 11

What is Generalizability Theory?

Back 11

A special case of classical test theory in which error is divided up into factors
For example, error may result from testing conditions, the subject's well-being, characteristics of the test, etc etc

Front 12

What are the four main components of validity, from easiest to obtain to hardest?

Back 12

1. Face
2. Content
3. Criterion
4. Construct