03. Experimental and Non-experimental Research Designs sub-deck Flashcards
Allocation
the process of assigning participants to conditions in the experiment for the research p. 19
Case study
Non-experimental
an in-depth study of an individual or a group of individuals p. 10
Choosing an experimental research design
the process of choosing an appropriate experimental research design in order to reduce possible extraneous and confounding variables p. 24
Conclusion
a statement regarding the results of an investigation as to whether the hypothesis was supported or not p. 47
Control group
a group that is used as a basis for comparison; participants are not exposed to the experimental conditions (the IV) p. 12
Controlled variable
variables other than the IV that a researcher holds constant (controls) in an investigation, to ensure that changes in the DV are solely due to changes in the IV
Correlational study
Non-experimental
a type of non-experimental study in which researchers observe and measure the relationship between two or more variables without any active control or manipulation of them
Counterbalancing
a method used in repeated-measures experimental designs to reduce order effects p. 24
Cross-sectional study
Non-experimental
when data is collected from participants from different segments of the population (pre-existing cohorts) to represent a ?snapshot? in time p. 10
Dependent variable (DV)
the variable that is being measured in an experiment for changes it experiences due to the independent variable p. 4
Double-blind procedure
a procedure in which both the participants and the person conducting the experiment are unaware of which condition participants have been allocated to, in order to reduce experimenter bias p. 25
Controlled experiment
a type of investigation in which the causal relationship between two variables is tested in a controlled environment; more specifically, the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable while aiming to control all other variables
Experimental group
the group within an experiment that are exposed to experimental conditions (the IV) p. 12
Fieldwork
Non-experimental
any research involving observation and interaction with people and environments in real-world settings, conducted beyond the laboratory
Generalisability
the extent to which the results of an investigation can be applied to the wider research population p. 48
Between subjects design
Experimental design
(also known as independent design) an experimental design in which participants are split into two or more groups; typically a control group and an experimental groups p. 12
Independent variable (IV)
the variable that the experimenter manipulates in order to observe the effect it causes on the dependent variable p. 4
Interview
Non-experimental design
a type of questionnaire that is usually conducted verbally, involving the researcher asking participants questions and recording their responses p. 9
Mixed Design
Experimental design
an experimental design which combines elements of within-subjects and between-subjects designs
Longitudinal study
a type of investigation in which data is gathered from participants over an extended period of time, and the participants are followed up after specific time intervals p. 10
Observational study
Non-experimental design
a type of study in which data is collected through careful monitoring of participants p. 10
Order effects
(also known as practice effects) a source of error in within subjects designs due to the order the participants participate in the experimental and control conditions p. 24
Population
(also known as research population) the group of people of interest to an experiment p. 3, 17
Questionnaire
Non-experimental design
(also known as surveys) a list of questions that participants can respond to in a variety of formats p. 9
Random allocation
when every member of the sample has an equal chance of being assigned to each condition in an experiment p. 19
Rating scale
a form of questionnaire collecting numerical data from participants? responses p. 10
Literature Review
Non-experimental design
the process of collating and analysing secondary data related to other people?s scientific findings and/or viewpoints in order to answer a question or provide background information to help explain observed events, or as preparation for an investigation to generate primary data
Within subjects design
Experimental design
(also known as repeated measures design) an experimental design in which the same participants are in every condition of the experiment p. 12
Sample
a subset of the population, commonly referred to as the research participants p. 17
Self-report
a participant?s subjective account of an experience; this type of investigation can be conducted through the use of a questionnaire, interview or rating scale p. 9
Single-blind procedure
a procedure in which participants are unaware of which condition they have been allocated to, in order to reduce participant expectations p. 25
