Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

A study has validity if:

1. The data actually reflect the phenomena the researcher is trying to study.

2. Similar results are obtained when the study is repeated.

3. The data are collected in a laboratory setting.

4. The researcher was not biased when collecting and analyzing data.

The correct answer is: The data actually reflect the phenomena the researcher is trying to study.

A study has validity when the data accurately reflect the phenomena that the researcher aims to investigate. This concept of validity is crucial because it determines whether the study's findings can be trusted to represent real-world behaviors, conditions, or constructs. When a study successfully measures what it claims to measure, it provides credible insights and implications for the field of psychology or related disciplines. The other options touch on important aspects of research but do not directly relate to the fundamental definition of validity. For instance, the reproduction of similar results in repeated studies refers to reliability, which is about consistency rather than the accuracy of what is measured. Collecting data in a laboratory setting is more about the context and environment of the study, which can influence but does not inherently ensure validity. Lastly, minimizing researcher bias is essential for objectivity, but it does not guarantee that the findings are valid if the measures themselves are flawed or misrepresent the phenomenon in question. Thus, the essence of validity revolves around the accurate reflection of the studied phenomena.