Chapter 6 Research Methods - Experiments

Question 1

Experiments - Experimental method - Aims?

Answer 1

Purpose of the investigation.

Question 2

Experiments - Experimental method - Hypotheses?

Answer 2

Testable, operationalised statement.

Question 3

Experiments - Experimental method - Directional or non-directional?

Answer 3

Identifying a difference/correlation or not. Choice depends on previous theory/research.

Question 4

Experiments - Variables - IVs & DVs?

Answer 4

IV manipulated, DV measured.

Question 5

Experiments - Variables - Levels of the IV?

Answer 5

Experimental & control conditions.

Question 6

Experiments - Variables - Operationalisation?

Answer 6

Defining variables so they can be measured.

Question 7

Experiments - Research issues - Extraneous variables?

Answer 7

Nuisance variables but randomly distributed.

Question 8

Experiments - Research issues - Confounding variables?

Answer 8

Vary systematically with IV.

Question 9

Experiments - Research issues - Demand characteristics?

Answer 9

Pts second guess the aims, alter their behaviour.

Question 10

Experiments - Research issues - Investigator effects?

Answer 10

Influence of researcher on DV/design decisions.

Question 11

Experiments - Research issues - Randomisation?

Answer 11

Chance methods to reduce researcher’s bias.

Question 12

Experiments - Research issues - Standardisation?

Answer 12

Ensuring all pts have the same experience.

Question 13

Experiments - Experimental designs - Independent groups?

Answer 13

Pts in each condition of experiment are different.

Question 14

Experiments - Experimental designs - Repeated measures?

Answer 14

All pts take part in all conditions.

Question 15

Experiments - Experimental designs - Matched pairs?

Answer 15

Similar pts paired on participant variables, allocated to condition A or B

Question 16

Experiments - Evaluation of experimental designs - Independent groups?

Answer 16

• Participant variables not controlled (use random allocation).
• Less economical. No order effects,

Question 17

Experiments - Evaluation of experimental designs - Repeated measures?

Answer 17

Order effects (use counterbalancing). Demand characteristics. Participant variables controlled. More economical.

Question 18

Experiments - Evaluation of experimental designs - Matched pairs?

Answer 18

No order effects. Cannot match pts exactly. Time-consuming.

Question 22

Types of experiment - Lab experiments?

Answer 22

IV is manipulated in a controlled setting. Pts go to researcher.

Question 22

Types of experiment - Field experiments?

Answer 22

IV is manipluated in natural setting. Researcher goes to pts.

Question 22

Types of experiment - Natural experiments?

Answer 22

IV changes naturally. DV/setting may be natural or in a lab.

Question 24

Types of experiment - Quasi-experiments?

Answer 24

IV based on an existing difference between people, effect on DV is recorded.

Question 25

Evaluations of the types of experiments - Lab experiments?

Answer 25

S - High internal validity (control confounding & extraneous variables, cause & effect shown), replication more possible (support for findings). L - Low external validity (lack of generalisability, low mundane realism), low internal validity (demand characteristics).

Question 26

Evaluations of the types of experiments - Field experiments?

Answer 26

S - Higher external validity (more authentic, realism). L - Lower internal validity (less control). Ethical issues (consent not possible).

Question 27

Evaluations of the types of experiments - Natural experiments?

Answer 27

S - Only option for practical/ethical reasons, high external validity (real-world problems). L - Limited opportunities, no random allocation (confounding variables), no manipulation of IV (can't claim cause & effect).

Question 28

Evaluations of the types of experiments - Quasi-experiments?

Answer 28

S - Carried out under controlled conditions like a lab experiment. L - No random allocation, no manipulation of IV (can't claim cause & effect).