Validity in sociological research can be undermined by which of the following factors?

Validity in sociological research refers to the extent to which a study accurately reflects or assesses the specific concept it intends to measure. A key factor that can undermine validity is the lack of operational definitions of variables. When variables are not clearly defined and specified, it becomes challenging to determine whether the research is actually measuring what it claims to measure. For instance, if a study attempts to measure "socioeconomic status" without defining what that encompasses (e.g., income, education level, occupation), the results could lead to misleading conclusions.

Operational definitions are crucial because they guide researchers in their measurements and help ensure that concepts are consistently understood and assessed throughout the study. When there is ambiguity in how variables are operationalized, the risk of invalid conclusions increases, as different researchers or participants might interpret those variables in various ways. In turn, this lack of clarity can result in inconsistent data, rendering the findings less trustworthy.

In contrast, a large sample size typically enhances the reliability of results and can improve validity by providing a more accurate representation of the population. Frequent retesting can contribute to reliability, and the use of control groups is essential for establishing causal relationships, both of which support the overall validity of research findings.