cognitive research methods

Question 1

what is an experiment?

Answer 1

a scientific procedure undertaken to test a hypothesis in order to demonstrate a causal relationship

Question 2

what is an independent variable?

Answer 2

the variable that is manipulated or changed

Question 3

what is a dependent variable?

Answer 3

the variable that is measured

Question 4

how do you operationalise?

Answer 4

making the variable clear and precise/showing how you make it measurable

Question 5

what is a lab experiment?

Answer 5

an experiment where the researcher directly manipulated the IV to see the effect on the DV - they do this in a controlled setting/artificial evironment, participants go to the experimenter

Question 6

what are the strengths of a lab experiment?

Answer 6

very scientific - tests hypotheses in a fully controlled environment
the same procedure is used for all participants so easily repeatable
participants are usually aware they are in a experiment so they can consent

Question 7

what are the weaknesses of a lab experiment?