Ch1 - The Experimental Method

Question 1

what is the goal of an experimental study?

Answer 1

Demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship

Question 2

what is the 1st of 2 distinguishing characteristics of the experimental method?

Answer 2

the researcher MANIPULATES one variable by changing its value from one level to another

Question 3

what is the 2nd of 2 distinguishing characteristics of the experimental method?

Answer 3

the researcher must exercise CONTROL over the research situation to ensure that other, extraneous variables do not influence the relationship being examined

Question 4

what are the 2 general categories of variables that researchers must control in experiments?

Answer 4

1) participant variables
2) environmental variables

Question 5

participant variables

Answer 5

such as age, gender, and intelligence that vary from one individual to another

Question 6

Environmental variables

Answer 6

such as lighting, time of day, and weather conditions

Question 7

what are the 3 methods researchers use to control variables?

Answer 7

• random assignment
• matching
• holding constant