Internal Validity
Internal validity indicates the degree to which an empirical study's design justifies the conclusion that changes in the independent variable directly caused the observed differences in the dependent variable. Experimental research designs typically achieve high internal validity because they involve deliberately manipulating an independent variable while rigorously controlling for extraneous variables, thereby eliminating alternative causal explanations. For instance, in the Darley and Latané experiment, the rigorous manipulation of the number of perceived bystanders isolated this independent variable as the direct cause of differences in helping behavior. In contrast, non-experimental correlational designs exhibit low internal validity; for example, a statistical relationship between regular exercise and happiness cannot confirm that exercise causes happiness, as other factors or reverse causation might explain the link.
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References
Clinical Psychology Eighth Edition
KPU Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition
KPU Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition
KPU Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition
KPU Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition
KPU Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition
Tags
Clinical Practice of Psychology
Psychology
Social Science
Empirical Science
Science
KPU
Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook
Related
Within-Group Design
External Validity
Analog Research
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Experimental Group in Research
Control Group in Research
Between-Subjects Experiment
Internal Validity
Example of an Experiment: Note-Taking Method and Learning Performance
Functional Relationship Between Independent and Dependent Variables
A researcher conducts a study to determine if the amount of sleep affects problem-solving skills. One group of participants is allowed to sleep for eight hours, while a second group is only allowed to sleep for four hours. The next morning, both groups are given the same set of puzzles to solve, and the researcher records how many puzzles each participant completes correctly. In this study, what is the independent variable?
Identifying Experimental Variables
Extraneous Variable
Treatment
Non-Experimental Research
Non-Manipulated Independent Variable
Operational Definition
Experimental Manipulation
Experimental Condition
Internal Validity
Manipulation Check
Null Result
In an experimental research study, how is an independent variable defined?
A social psychologist wants to determine if the number of bystanders present during an emergency affects how long it takes for an individual to help. The psychologist stages an emergency in a public space and systematically varies whether there are one, three, or ten other people present. The researcher then measures the time it takes for a participant to intervene and offer assistance. In this experiment, what is the dependent variable?
Example of an Experiment: Note-Taking Method and Learning Performance
Extraneous Variable
Time Series
Confounding Variable
Internal Validity
Null Result
Non-Experimental Research
In an experimental study, which of the following best describes the dependent variable?
Participant Variable
Situational Variable
Task Variable
Experimental Control
Experimenter's Sex as an Extraneous Variable
Standardizing the Procedure
Experimenter Expectancy Effect
Example of Extraneous Variables: Expressive Writing Experiment
Confounding Variable
Internal Validity
In the context of an experiment, what is an extraneous variable?
Statistical Validity
Internal Validity
External Validity
Construct Validity
Prioritizing Validities
Match each of the four big validities to the specific dimension of an experiment's methodology it addresses.
Internal Validity
Which of the following best describes the primary characteristic and resulting advantage of a laboratory experiment?