Controlling Variables Flashcards
What is the relationship between control and realism in experiments
-Lab experiments have high control but low realism
-Field experiments have low control but high realism
What is meant by cyclical process
When we see the finding in the lab experiment and then test them in the real world . This is so we can establish casuality
What type of validity does mundane realism threaten
Its a potential threat to external validity
What are uncontrolled variables
Variables that cant be controlled like the weather. They will become confounding variables
What are confounding variables
This refers to extraneous variables that were not controlled by the researcher
What is a situational confounding variable
It doesn’t affect the results
What is a participant confounding variable
A factor other than one being studied that is associated with the DV and with the IV
What are extraneous variables
Variables other than the independent variable that could affect the participants performance in a study
What are investigator effects
When a researcher (consciously or unconsciously) acts in a way to support their prediction. This can be a particular problem when observing events that can be interpreted in more than one way
Examples of indirect effects
The investigator might operationalise the measurement of the variables in such a way that the desired result is more likely
What is loose procedure effect
Where the investigator may not clearly state the standardised instructions properly which leaves room for the results to be influenced by the experimenter
Examples of direct effects
The effect of exposure on the absent of the mediator
What is random allocation
This is extremely important process of research. Each participant is given the same opportunity to be assigned to any given group so individual differences aren’t counted for and are far less likely to affect the results
What EV does random allocation help control
Prevents research bias
What is standardised procedure
There is normally an attempt at a standardised procedure. This allows for replication to determine the reliability of the results
What EV does standardised procedure help to control
Carrying out the study wrong
What is randomisation
Presenting any stimuli in an experiment in a random manner to avoid having an effect on the DV. It reduces the change of having practice effects becoming confounding variables
What EV does randomisation help to control
Researcher bias
What is a single blind test
Where participants don’t know which condition of the study they are in but the investigator does . The participant wouldn’t know if they were given the real drug or placebo
What EV does a single blind test help to control
Reduce risk of errors
What is a double blind test
When the participants and investigator don’t know which condition the participants in placebo or real drug
Which EV does a double blind test help to control
Reduce risk of error
