Topic Three (1.3): Data Types, Descriptive Statistics, Correlations, Validity and Reliability

Introduction

It is important that you know about different data types (qualitative and quantitative) and how they might be used in a study to understand any findings. You must also have a working understanding of how to use and apply descriptive statistics, and what is meant by a case study and a correlational study. Vital to any discourse in psychology are the concepts of validity and reliability; these can be used as evaluation points in essay-style answers and ultimately tell us how useful research is.

Read and Make Notes

Extraneous and Confounding Variables, Pilot Study and Standardisation

  • Read and make notes on pages 33 to 34 in the textbook.
  • Write out a definition for each of the four concepts above.

Tasks

Data Types – Qualitative and Quantitative and Measurement

  • See page 40 of the textbook.
  • Write out a definition of each data type.
  • Note one strength and one weakness of each.
  • Write down one example of each type.
  • Read through the following PowerPoint:

Download READ – Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods (PowerPoint)

Read and Make Notes

Read and make notes on pages 41 to 45 in the textbook on descriptive statistics.

Activities in the Book

  • It is important that you complete the following questions in the textbook:
    • Questions 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d and 15e on page 48.
  • Suggested answers can be found in the digital textbook and in General Resources.

Task

Read pages 46 to 47 in the textbook and have a go at drawing some of the graphs.

Activities in the Book

  • You should now complete the following questions in the textbook:
    • Questions 13, 14 and 16 on page 48.
  • Suggested answers can be found in the digital textbook and in General Resources.

Read and Make Notes

Read and make notes on pages 27 to 28 in the textbook on correlational studies.

Activities in the Book

  • You should now complete the following questions in the textbook:
    • Questions 8a, 8b and 8c on page 30.
  • Suggested answers can be found in the digital textbook and in General Resources.

Read and Make Notes

Reliability

  • Make notes on test-retest and inter-rater reliability on page 54 of the textbook.

Validity

  • Make notes on internal (experimental) and external (ecological) validity on page 55.

Task

Work through the following PowerPoint:

Download READ – Reliability and Validity (PowerPoint)

Activities in the Book

  • You should now complete the following questions in the textbook:
    • Questions 19a, 19b and 19c on page 57.
  • Suggested answers can be found in the digital textbook and in General Resources.

Glossary

Highlight any new terminology on your glossary.

Consolidate

  • Please now have a go at the following exam-style questions on page 62 of the textbook: 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d on page 62.
  • Suggested answers can be found in the digital textbook and in General Resources.

Assignment

When you have completed all the activities and are fully prepared and feel confident with the material, you should complete Assignment One and submit it to your tutor via Canvas for marking and feedback.