3. methods of enquiry 2

Question 1

What is a laboratory experiment in psychological research?

Answer 1

A laboratory experiment allows researchers to manipulate the independent variable, assign people randomly to different groups, and control extraneous variables.

Question 2

What is the independent variable (IV) in the example of studying the effect of difficulty of study material on learning time?

Answer 2

Materials of different levels of difficulty (Easy and Difficult Level).

Question 3

What is the dependent variable (DV) in the example of studying the effect of difficulty of study material on learning time?

Answer 3

The time taken to learn the material.

Question 4

Why is the age of subjects controlled in the experiment on study material difficulty?

Answer 4

To ensure that any change in learning time can be attributed to the manipulation of the IV and not to age-related differences.

Question 5

What are extraneous variables, and why should they be controlled?

Answer 5

Variables other than the independent variable that may affect the results; they should be controlled to isolate the effect of the IV.

Question 6

What are the characteristics of true experiments?

Answer 6

1. Manipulating the IV, 2. Controlling extraneous variables, 3. A controlled environment, 4. Measuring the DV.

Question 7

What are quasi experiments?

Answer 7

Experiments where manipulating the IV and random assignment to groups is not fully possible.

Question 8

Why can’t the IV always be manipulated in quasi experiments?

Answer 8

Sometimes it’s impossible or unethical to manipulate the IV, such as making people left- or right-handed.

Question 9

What is an example of a situation where it would be unethical to manipulate the IV?

Answer 9

For example, turning people into drug addicts to compare them to non-addicts.

Question 10

How are participants selected for quasi experiments in cases like the junk food consumption study?

Answer 10

Subjects are selected based on their existing behavior, such as children who already consume or do not consume junk food.

Question 11

What are field experiments?

Answer 11

Experiments conducted in a natural setting where participants may or may not know they are being studied.

Question 12

What is the main challenge in conducting field experiments?

Answer 12

Controlling extraneous variables is challenging in a natural setting.

Question 13

What are the strengths of experimental research?

Answer 13

1. Establishing cause and effect between IV and DV, 2. Systematic manipulation and measurement of variables, 3. Possible replication.

Question 14

What are the limitations of experimental research?

Answer 14

1. Absolute control over variables is not possible, 2. Laboratory settings are artificial, 3. Results may be biased.

Question 15

What is selection bias in experiments?

Answer 15

Differences between groups present at the start of the experiment, like age or intelligence.

Question 16

What is experimenter bias?

Answer 16

When the experimenter’s appearance or behavior accidentally influences the participant.

Question 17

What are demand characteristics?

Answer 17

Clues in an experiment that lead participants to guess what the researcher expects.

Question 18

What is correlational research?

Answer 18

Research studying the relationship between different variables without manipulating them.

Question 19

Why would researchers choose correlational research over experiments?

Answer 19

1. When the relationship is not believed to be causal, 2. When manipulation of the IV is impossible, impractical, or unethical.

Question 20

What is an example of correlational research that does not imply causation?

Answer 20

The relationship between the number of classes attended and exam scores; attending more classes does not necessarily cause higher scores.

Question 21

Why might researchers not be able to manipulate the independent variable?

Answer 21

Due to ethical concerns, impracticality, or impossibility.

Question 22

What is positive correlation?

Answer 22

A relationship where both variables increase or decrease together, e.g., height and weight.

Question 23

What is negative correlation?

Answer 23

A relationship where an increase in one variable is associated with a decrease in another, e.g., more practice leads to fewer errors.

Question 24

What is zero or no correlation?

Answer 24

When there is no relationship between two variables, e.g., eye color and intelligence.

Question 25

What does a correlation value indicate?

Answer 25

It indicates the direction and strength of the relationship between two variables.

Question 26

What is a strength of correlational research?

Answer 26

Allows investigation of naturally occurring variables that are unethical or impractical to test experimentally.

Question 27

What is a limitation of correlational research?

Answer 27

Correlation does not establish causation.

Question 28

What is the main difference between correlations and experiments?

Answer 28

Experiments manipulate and isolate variables, while correlations identify relationships between variables.

Question 29

What does an experiment attempt to do with the independent variable?

Answer 29

Manipulate it to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Question 30

What can experiments establish that correlations cannot?

Answer 30

Cause and effect relationships.

Question 31

What does a correlation study examine?

Answer 31

The relationship between two variables.