Chapter 6

Question 1

Exploratory

Answer 1

Explore areas that not well understood

“What if”

Question 2

Descriptive

Answer 2

To characterize, explain, or describe variables that are related to a specific group of individuals
“What is”
“ How”

Question 3

Relational

Answer 3

Looking at relationships between variables
“Does”
“ Is”

Question 4

Experimental Research Design

Answer 4

-used to determine cause and effect
-laboratory experiment
Lab setting
-field experiment
Natural setting in which behavior naturally operates
Strength: shows cause and effect
Limitation: results may not be the same in natural environment

Question 5

Quasi-experimental research design

Answer 5

-similar to experimental, lacks control as random assignment is not possible or there is not control group

-Quasi independent variable
Cannot be manipulated

Strength: can study factors related to unique characteristics of participants
Limitation: cannot determine cause and effect

Question 6

Non experimental research design

Answer 6

-make observations in which behavior/ event is observed “as is” or without intervention from researcher

Strength: can observe behavior as they naturally operate
Limitation: cannot demonstrate cause and effect

Question 7

Internal validity

Answer 7

• the ability to rule out alternative explorations for results
• confidence in results

Question 8

Threats to internal validity

Answer 8

-history effects
Unanticipated event that co-occurs with a manipulation in study
-maturation
Participants psychological and physiological
-testing effects
Improved performance on a test/ measure the 2nd time
-Instrumentation and measurement
Measurement changes due to an error during course of research
-attrition
Participant doesn’t show up or complete study
-environmental factors

Question 9

External validity

Answer 9

How well results generalize to population or additional situations beyond manipulations or constraints of study

Question 10

Threats to external validity

Answer 10

-population validity
Extent to which results observed will generalize to target population from sample
-ecological validity
Extent to which results observed will generalize across settings or environment (research settings)
-temporal validity
Timing of measurements
-outcome validity
Results observed will generalize across different but related DVS

Question 11

How to make unobtrusive observations

Answer 11

1) remain hidden
2) habituate participants to researchers
3) use a confederate
4) use indirect measure (trash)