Research methods validity
Extraneous variables
a variable other than the independent and dependent variables that can affect the outcome of an experiment or study. These variables are sometimes called 'confounding variables' because they have the potential to confound or obscure the relationship between the variables of interest.
Control
refers to the extent to which any variable is held constant or regulated by a researcher
Confounding variable
a specific type of extraneous variable in a research study that has a significant and hidden effect on the relationship between the independent variable(s) and the dependent variable
Mundane realism
refers to how a study mirrors the real world. The research environment is realistic to the degree to which experiences encountered in the research environment will occur in the real world.
Validity
refers to whether an observed effect is a genuine one
Internal validity
the degree to which an observed effect was due to the experimental manipulation of rather than other factors such as confounding/ extraneous variables
External validity
The degree to which a research finding can be generalised:to other settings (ecological validity); to other groups of people (population validity); over time (historical validity)