Demand characteristics and Bias

Question 1

Define demand characteristics (2)

Answer 1

Clues given off within the research that could lead participants to change their natural behaviour choosing to help or hinder the researcher, reducing internal validity

Question 2

What can demand characteristics be controlled by?

Answer 2

By getting another researcher who doesn’t know the aim of the study so they can’t influence participants.

Question 3

Why and how is randomisation used to control bias?

Answer 3

• Where possible aspects of research should be by chance and not decided by the researcher which could present extraneous variables
• By using a random computer generator.

Question 4

Why and how is standardisation used to control bias?

Answer 4

• All participants experience the same environment and instructions to avoid EVs affecting measurements.
• By using the same standard procedure and a formal set of written instructions for all participants.

Question 5

Why and how is single blind used to control demand characteristics?

Answer 5

Keeping the true aim of research hidden from participants so unable to change behaviour and show demand characteristics and increases the internal validity.

Question 6

Why and how is double blind used?

Answer 6

Keeping the true aim of research hidden from participants and researchers. Getting a different researcher to carry out the aim. Demand characteristics can be shown by the participants and minimises the investigator effects .

Question 7

How to control bias (2)

Answer 7

1) Randomisation
2) Standardisation

Question 8

How to control demand characteristics (2)

Answer 8

1) Single blind
2) Double blind