Control Of Variables

Question 1

What is social desirability bias

Answer 1

When participants try to present themselves in a good light

Question 2

What are experimenter effects

Answer 2

When the experimenter (deliberately or not) acts a certain way to influence results in a certain way e.g. being nicer to females etc

Question 3

What are investigator / researcher effects

Answer 3

Trying to influence someone’s answer using wording
E.g. when a question is worded in such a way that influences a certain answer from respondents

Question 4

What is observer bias

Answer 4

Paying more attention to things that back up the hypothesis

Question 5

How can effects and variables be controlled

Answer 5

• a study having more than one researcher
• using single blind & double blind conditions to overcome bias
• allocate people randomly in experiments
• practice standardisation for instructions and interviews etc

Question 6

What is a pilot study

Answer 6

• an initial run through of the procedures to be used in an investigation - selecting a few people and trying the study to identify any flaws and save money and time
• shows if there will be floor or ceiling effect

Question 7

What’s a floor effect

Answer 7

When no one can complete the task or core at all (performances too low)

Question 8

What’s a ceiling effect?

Answer 8

When the task is so easy that all can achieve virtually full marks

Question 9

When using self report measures it is important to check

Answer 9

• that participants understand and will answer the Q’s
• that closed questions offer suitable options
• whether the reporting method is appropriate

Question 10

In observations it is important to check

Answer 10

• that observers agree on operational definitions
• that categories of behaviour don’t overlap
• whether participants are affected by observers

Question 11

In experiments it is important to check

Answer 11

• instructions are clear
• enough time is given
• the task is suitable
• the design is correct (matched pair etc )