3. methods of enquiry 2 Flashcards
What is a laboratory experiment in psychological research?
A laboratory experiment allows researchers to manipulate the independent variable, assign people randomly to different groups, and control extraneous variables.
What is the independent variable (IV) in the example of studying the effect of difficulty of study material on learning time?
Materials of different levels of difficulty (Easy and Difficult Level).
What is the dependent variable (DV) in the example of studying the effect of difficulty of study material on learning time?
The time taken to learn the material.
Why is the age of subjects controlled in the experiment on study material difficulty?
To ensure that any change in learning time can be attributed to the manipulation of the IV and not to age-related differences.
What are extraneous variables, and why should they be controlled?
Variables other than the independent variable that may affect the results; they should be controlled to isolate the effect of the IV.
What are the characteristics of true experiments?
- Manipulating the IV, 2. Controlling extraneous variables, 3. A controlled environment, 4. Measuring the DV.
What are quasi experiments?
Experiments where manipulating the IV and random assignment to groups is not fully possible.
Why can’t the IV always be manipulated in quasi experiments?
Sometimes it’s impossible or unethical to manipulate the IV, such as making people left- or right-handed.
What is an example of a situation where it would be unethical to manipulate the IV?
For example, turning people into drug addicts to compare them to non-addicts.
How are participants selected for quasi experiments in cases like the junk food consumption study?
Subjects are selected based on their existing behavior, such as children who already consume or do not consume junk food.
What are field experiments?
Experiments conducted in a natural setting where participants may or may not know they are being studied.
What is the main challenge in conducting field experiments?
Controlling extraneous variables is challenging in a natural setting.
What are the strengths of experimental research?
- Establishing cause and effect between IV and DV, 2. Systematic manipulation and measurement of variables, 3. Possible replication.
What are the limitations of experimental research?
- Absolute control over variables is not possible, 2. Laboratory settings are artificial, 3. Results may be biased.
What is selection bias in experiments?
Differences between groups present at the start of the experiment, like age or intelligence.
What is experimenter bias?
When the experimenter’s appearance or behavior accidentally influences the participant.
What are demand characteristics?
Clues in an experiment that lead participants to guess what the researcher expects.
What is correlational research?
Research studying the relationship between different variables without manipulating them.
Why would researchers choose correlational research over experiments?
- When the relationship is not believed to be causal, 2. When manipulation of the IV is impossible, impractical, or unethical.
What is an example of correlational research that does not imply causation?
The relationship between the number of classes attended and exam scores; attending more classes does not necessarily cause higher scores.
Why might researchers not be able to manipulate the independent variable?
Due to ethical concerns, impracticality, or impossibility.
What is positive correlation?
A relationship where both variables increase or decrease together, e.g., height and weight.
What is negative correlation?
A relationship where an increase in one variable is associated with a decrease in another, e.g., more practice leads to fewer errors.
What is zero or no correlation?
When there is no relationship between two variables, e.g., eye color and intelligence.
What does a correlation value indicate?
It indicates the direction and strength of the relationship between two variables.
What is a strength of correlational research?
Allows investigation of naturally occurring variables that are unethical or impractical to test experimentally.
What is a limitation of correlational research?
Correlation does not establish causation.
What is the main difference between correlations and experiments?
Experiments manipulate and isolate variables, while correlations identify relationships between variables.
What does an experiment attempt to do with the independent variable?
Manipulate it to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
What can experiments establish that correlations cannot?
Cause and effect relationships.
What does a correlation study examine?
The relationship between two variables.
