Hi It certainly would be nice for all students to take research participation (and class participation and tests and life and ...) equally serious, but that is unlikely to ever be the case. I doubt, however, that slack participants have much effect. Only a few obvious ways that they could affect the results (off the top of my head):
1. Putting down same response for all items. Would affect mean of scale(s), depending on response emitted and average of responses. No effect on differences between scales administered to all participants or on different experimental conditions for within-s factors. Perhaps an effect for between-s factors, depending on proportion of such respondents, their allocation to condition, and their chosen response. Primarily "noise" added to between-s SSs? No effect on reliability or validity of measures? 2. Responding randomly. Would primarily add additional noise to within-group SSs (error) for between-s factor. Negative effect on reliability and validity of measures? 3. Identifying purpose of study and responding to promote or negate "expected" results. Probably more effort than simply participating honestly in study. There are ways to identify participants who could be excluded (as one poster suggested) or to minimize their impact. 1. For reaction times, exclude participants with too many unreasonably fast or slow trials. I think the IAT does something like this. 2. Positively and negatively worded questions? 3. MMPI and other tests have ways to catch random responding that might be used (e.g., too many conflicting responses to "identical" questions). 4. Easy to screen for people who do not generate variable responses. Perhaps also worth noting that if this were a serious problem, then one would NOT find predicted relationships or produce consistent results across studies. I suspect most students take the task as seriously as it merits (it is not life and death) given they are going to spend time at it and produce worthwhile data. Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca Department of Psychology University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 CANADA >>> "Blaine Peden" <cyber...@charter.net> 06-May-09 1:47 PM >>> Our students and faculty conduct research with participants from introductory psychology and other courses. Some participants seem to do the studies in great haste and with little sincerity and thereby raise concerns about the quality of their data. Have you developed strategies or instructional materials that explain the process and purpose of psychological research to future participants and also promotes their involvement and integrity? I welcome any comments, suggestions, or resources. thanks so much, blaine --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu)
