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Psychology- Experimnental research Methods > 13-24 > Flashcards

13-24 Flashcards

1
Q

Extraneous variables

A

Anything that might have an effect on the DV. The variables can be controlled by the experimenter eg. Age of participants, time limits for tasks

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2
Q

Confounding variables

A

Variables that aren’t controlled for in an experiment which do affect the results (ruin them) eg. Weather, mood of participants

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3
Q

What is an aim

A

To the investigate the effect of a variable

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4
Q

What is a hypothesis

A

A formal unambiguous statement of what is predicted. It must both contain both condition of the IV and the expected outcome of the DV, be operationalised and measurable

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5
Q

What is a directional hypothesis

A

States whether the DV outcome is expected to be greater or lesser, positive or negative- it is used when there has been previous research which suggests the direction

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6
Q

What is a non-directional hypothesis

A

Doesn’t state the direction of the DV, just that there’ll be a difference- it is used when there is no theory/previous research or it is contradictory

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7
Q

What is a null hypothesis

A

The prediction of no difference between the two IV conditions on the outcome of the DV

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8
Q

What is reliability

A

Consistency

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9
Q

What is internal reliability

A

All participants are treated the same way

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10
Q

What is external reliability

A

Same/similar results found after repeated test

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11
Q

What are the three ways to test reliability

A

Test retest reliability
Inter observer reliability
Measured using a correlation

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12
Q

What is inter observer reliability

A

Two or more observers are used and results are compared

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13
Q

What should the correlation be above for reliability

A

+80

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14
Q

How can you improve reliability

A

Repeat the study and check results correlate again

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15
Q

What is validity

A

Accuracy

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16
Q

What is internal validity

A

Whether the study measures what it’s meant to measure

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17
Q

What is external validity

A

How generalisable beyond experimental setting the study is

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18
Q

What is ecological validity

A

How realistic the setting is

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19
Q

What is population validity

A

Applicable sample- does not represent a large population

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20
Q

What is temporal validity

A

Whether the results are still relevant

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21
Q

How can validity be assessed

A

Face validity
Concurrent validity

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22
Q

What is face validity

A

Whether it looks like it measures what it should

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23
Q

What is concurrent validity

A

Whether findings are similar to those on a well established test

24
Q

What are two ways to improve validity

A

Large sample size, more realistic setting

25
What are the three experimental designs
Independent groups Repeated measures Matched pairs
26
Explain how independent groups work
1. recruit a group of participants 2. divide them into two 3. one group does the experimental task with the IV a set for condition 1 4. other group does the experimental task with the IV set for condition 2 5. measure the DV for each group and compare results
27
Advantages and disadvantages of independent groups
Avoids order effects(such as practice or fatigue) as people participate in only one condition Differences in the groups may affect results-known as participant variables More people are needed than with repeated measures design
28
Describe repeated measured design
1. Recruit a group of participants 2. The group does the experimental task with the iv set for condition 1 3. The group repeats the experimental task with the iv set for condition 2 4. Compare the results for the two conditions
29
Advantages and disadvantages of repeated measures
Participants variables are controlled Fewer people are needed as they take part in all conditions There may be order effects- practice effects
30
What is counterbalancing
Half the group do condition A followed by B The other half do condition B followed by A
31
Advantages of counterbalancing
Controls for order effect as it alternates the order which participants perform in different conditions
32
How would you do a matched pairs design
1. Recruit a group of participants 2. Find out what sort of people you have in the group 3. Recruit another group that matches relevant characteristics eg. Intelligence 4. One person does one condition and one person does condition two
33
Advantages and disadvantages of matched pairs
Reduces participant variables because they have been matched on abilities and characteristics Avoids order effects so counterbalancing is not necessary Very time consuming trying to find closely matched pairs
34
What is a control condition
Baseline measure of behaviour without the experimental treatment
35
What are demand characteristics
The participants may change their behaviour as a result of them trying to interpret a cue from the researcher that may be revealing the purpose of the research
36
What are investigator effects
Any effect of the investigators behaviour or personal characteristics on the research outcome
37
Single blind test
Participants are not told the aims of the study before hand- controls demand characteristics
38
Double blind design
Participants don’t know the aim of the study and neither does the investigator and this helps to control investigator effect and demand characteristics
39
What is a control group
A group that receives the placebo-refers to setting a baseline and is used to see the comparison
40
What is a confederate
An individual in a study who is not a real participants and has been instructed how to behave by the investigator
41
What is randomisation
The use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias- an attempt to control the effects of extraneous and confounding variables
42
What is random allocation
An attempt to control for participant variables - all participants should have an equal chance of taking part
43
What is standardisation
Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants. Reduce investigator effecr
44
What is a pilot study
Small scale trial versions of proposed studies to test their effectiveness
45
What are two advantages of carrying out a pilot study
Can help go increase validity of studies Can also save time and money by ensuring the methodology of a study it sound
46
What are the four key features of science
Replicability, falsifiability, empirical methods, objectivity
47
What is replicability
Accurate recordings of procedures to allow replication
48
What is falsifiability
The possibility that a statement or hypothesis can be proved wrong to shown data is true but also can be shown as untrue
49
What is objectivity
Measurement of data is not affected by the expectation of the researcher
50
What is empirical methods
Methods of gaining knowledge which rely on direct observation or testing
51
Define paradigm
A shared set of assumptions about a subject
52
Define paradigm shift
Scientific revolution occurs when there is too much contradictory evidence
53
What is a quasi experiment advantages and disadvantages
When the iv has not been made to vary by anyone and it is a difference that already exists like gender No manipulation is carried out and it allows comparisons of different people Can occur in a lab Lack of random allocation as the iv is naturally occurring
54
Describe field experiments advantages and disadvantages
Conducted in a more ordinary environment and participants are usually not aware that they are participating in an experiment High ecological validity-can be generalised lack of demand characteristics Low internal validity so less control and ethical issues-invasion of privacy
55
Describe natural experiment advantages and disadvantages
Conducted when it is not possible for ethical or practical reasons Allows research where the iv can’t be manipulated Can have high ecological validity- generalisable Lack of causal relationships Lack of random allocation
56
Describe laboratory experiments advantages and disadvantages
Carried out in a controlled environment-artificial setting variables can be manipulated. Participants know they are taking part in a study but do not know aims High internal validity-high control Easy to replicate-control and standardisation Low ecological validity and demand characteristics

Psychology- Experimnental research Methods (2 decks)

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