Module 1 - PSYC 154-1

Amity Institute of Psychology and Allied Sciences
AIPS
Basic Research Methodology, Statistics and
Psychological Testing (PSYC154)
Module 1
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Module I: Measurement
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Definition
Nature and Scales of Psychological Measurement
Properties and Functions of Measurement
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• Measurement
• Variables
• Units of measurement
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Measurement
n. the act of appraising the extent of some amount, dimension, or

criterion—or the resultant descriptive or quantified appraisal itself. A
measurement is often, but not always, expressed as a numerical value.
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We usually define the term measurement as the assignment of
values to objects according to some system of rules.
This definition originates with Stevens (1946), who presented what

have become the four traditional scales or types of measurement.
For now, let’s focus on the general measurement process, which

involves giving an object of measurement, the person or thing for
whom we’re measuring, a value that represents something about it.
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Nature of Psychological Measurement
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Properties of Scales of Measurement
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Experiment
• n. a series of observations conducted under controlled conditions
to study a relationship with the purpose of drawing causal
inferences about that relationship.
• An experiment involves the manipulation of an independent

variable, the measurement of a dependent variable, and the
exposure of various participants to one or more of the conditions
being studied.
• Random selection of participants and their random assignment to

conditions also are necessary in experiments. —
experimental adj.
Experiment
Variable
• n. a condition in an experiment or a characteristic of an entity,
person, or object that can take on different categories, levels, or
values and that can be quantified (measured).
• For example, test scores and ratings assigned by judges are

variables. Numerous types of variables exist, including categorical
variables, dependent variables, independent variables.
independent variable (IV)

Variables
the variable in an experiment that is specifically manipulated or is observed to occur
before the dependent, or outcome, variable, in order to assess its effect or influence.
Independent variables may or may not be causally related to the dependent variable.
In statistical analyses—such as path analysis, regression analysis, and structural
equation modeling—an independent variable is likely to be referred to as a causal
variable, explanatory variable, or predictor variable. See also exogenous variable;
treatment.
dependent variable (DV)
the outcome that is observed to occur or change after the occurrence or variation of
the independent variable in an experiment, or the effect that one wants to predict or
explain in correlational research.
Dependent variables may or may not be related causally to the independent variable.
Also called criterion variable; effect variable; outcome variable; response variable.
Variable
• n. a condition in an experiment or a characteristic of an entity,
person, or object that can take on different categories, levels, or
values and that can be quantified (measured).
• For example, test scores and ratings assigned by judges are

variables. Numerous types of variables exist, including categorical
variables, dependent variables, independent variables.
independent variable (IV)

Variables
the variable in an experiment that is specifically manipulated or is observed to occur
before the dependent, or outcome, variable, in order to assess its effect or influence.
Independent variables may or may not be causally related to the dependent variable.
In statistical analyses—such as path analysis, regression analysis, and structural
equation modeling—an independent variable is likely to be referred to as a causal
variable, explanatory variable, or predictor variable. See also exogenous variable;
treatment.
dependent variable (DV)
the outcome that is observed to occur or change after the occurrence or variation of
the independent variable in an experiment, or the effect that one wants to predict or
explain in correlational research.
Dependent variables may or may not be related causally to the independent variable.
Also called criterion variable; effect variable; outcome variable; response variable.
Hypothesis
• n. (pl. hypotheses) an empirically testable

proposition about some fact, behavior,
relationship, or the like, usually based on
theory, that states an expected outcome
resulting from specific conditions or
assumptions.
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Null and Alternative Hypothesis

null hypothesis: (NH; symbol: H0)
• a statement that a study will find no meaningful differences between

the groups or conditions under investigation, such that there is no
relationship among the variables of interest and that any variation in
observed data is the result of chance or random processes.
• For example, if a researcher is investigating a new technique to

improve the skills of children who have difficulty reading, the null
hypothesis would predict no difference between the average reading
performances of those children who receive the intervention and
those who do not.
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Null and Alternative Hypothesis

alternative hypothesis (AH; symbol: H1, Ha)
• a statement that is contrasted with or contradicts the null

hypothesis as an explanation for observed data.
• Generally, it is a scientific prediction of significant results

in hypothesis testing; that is, an alternative hypothesis
posits meaningful differences or relationships between
the variables under investigation.
• https://study.com/academy/lesson/formulating-the-research-hypothesis-and-
null-hypothesis.html
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Experimental design
an outline or plan of the procedures to be followed in scientific
experimentation in order to reach valid conclusions, with consideration
of such factors as participant selection, variable manipulation, data
collection and analysis, and minimization of external influences.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/carryover-effects-how-they-can-be-con
trolled-through-counterbalancing.html

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Amity Institute of Psychology and Allied Sciences

Nature and Scales of Psychological Measurement

Properties and Functions of Measurement

n. the act of appraising the extent of some amount, dimension, or

This definition originates with Stevens (1946), who presented what

For now, let’s focus on the general measurement process, which

• An experiment involves the manipulation of an independent

• Random selection of participants and their random assignment to

• For example, test scores and ratings assigned by judges are

independent variable (IV)

dependent variable (DV)

• For example, test scores and ratings assigned by judges are

independent variable (IV)

dependent variable (DV)

• n. (pl. hypotheses) an empirically testable

Null and Alternative Hypothesis

• a statement that a study will find no meaningful differences between

• For example, if a researcher is investigating a new technique to

Null and Alternative Hypothesis

• a statement that is contrasted with or contradicts the null

• Generally, it is a scientific prediction of significant results

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