Question 1: Define the term 'reliability' in the context of psychological research.

Answer: Reliability refers to the consistency of a research method or measurement, meaning that the results are stable and repeatable over time or across different occasions.

Question 2: Describe one method a researcher can use to improve the reliability of their study.

Answer: A researcher can improve reliability by standardizing procedures, such as using the same instructions and environment for all participants, or by conducting pilot tests to refine the measurement tools.

Question 3: Explain the difference between internal validity and external validity.

Answer: Internal validity refers to whether the study accurately demonstrates a cause-and-effect relationship within the experiment, while external validity concerns whether the findings can be generalized to other settings, populations, or times.

Question 4: Identify one factor that can threaten the validity of a psychological experiment and explain how it does so.

Answer: Participant bias can threaten validity because participants may behave differently if they guess the aim of the study, thus affecting the accuracy of the results.

Question 5: Describe a practical way to increase the validity of a survey-based study.

Answer: Using well-designed, validated questionnaires that accurately measure the intended construct increases validity, as does ensuring questions are clear and unbiased.

Question 6: Imagine a researcher conducts the same experiment twice with the same participants, and the results are very different each time. What aspect of reliability is this an issue with?

Answer: This is an issue with test-retest reliability.

Question 7: Identify and explain one reason why a researcher might choose to use a small sample size in their study.

Answer: A researcher might use a small sample size due to limited resources or access, but this can reduce the reliability and validity of the results.

Question 8: Draw a simple flowchart that illustrates the steps involved in testing the reliability of a psychological measure.

Answer: A correct flowchart would include steps such as: (1) Administer the measure to a group, (2) Re-administer the same measure after a set period, (3) Compare the results to assess consistency, indicating test-retest reliability.

Question 9: Sketch a diagram that demonstrates how a researcher might test for internal consistency of a questionnaire.

Answer: The sketch should show a questionnaire with multiple items all measuring the same construct, connected via arrows to a central point labeled 'internal consistency,' possibly illustrating a statistical measure like Cronbach’s alpha.

Question 10: Explain why it is important to consider both reliability and validity when evaluating a psychological study.

Answer: Because a study can be reliable but not valid if it produces consistent results that do not actually measure what they intend to, and vice versa. Both are essential to ensure the accuracy and meaningfulness of findings.