Exam 2 - Chapter 9 (Conducting Experiments) Flashcards

1
Q

Manipulating the Independent Variable

A

To manipulate an IV you have to:

  • create an operational definition.
  • Turn a conceptual variable into a set of operations that can be presented to the participants.

**The manipulation happens when the researcher changes the conditions exposed to the participant. **

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2
Q

Strength of the IV Manipulation

A

Manipulation of the IV should be strong enough to create an effect (if one exists), but not too strong that it hurts the study.

  • The amount of potential impact of the IV on the DV.

Strong Manipulations = Important in early stages of research in order to demonstrate that a relationship does exist

Example:

  • Weak Manipulation:
    • Hot – Cold
    • Hot – C_ld
      Stronger Manipulation:
    • Hot – Cold
    • Hot – ____
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3
Q

Manipulations can be TOO Strong

A

Ecological and External Validity → when a manipulation is unrealistic to the real-world, it is too strong. (ie: inducing anxiety via monster chase = unrealistic)

Ethics → Using extreme scenarios to manipulate IV can be unethical (ie: Stanford Prison)

Curvilinear relationships → we might not see the relationship when using too strong of a manipulation (ie: Performance – Arousal)

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4
Q

Types of Manipulations:

Straightforward Studies vs. Staged Studies

A

Straightforward Studies: Easy situations are used to manipulated the IV by presenting written, verbal, or visual materials to the participants.

Staged Studies: Complex situations are used to manipulate the IV, often using simulations of real-life.

  • Used for One of Two Reasons:
    • To create a psychological state (frustration, anger, affect self-esteem, etc)
    • To simulate a real-world situation
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5
Q

Manipulation Checks

A

A measure used to determine if the manipulation of the IV had its intended effect on the participant.

  • Includes another measure (that IS NOT the Dependent Variable) to see if the manipulation worked. (ie: self-report)
  • Provide evidence for the Construct Validity of the manipulation

Risk: manipulation checks might create Demand Characteristics

  • solutions: disguise the check OR do the check after measuring the DV.
  • BUT: Post DV measurement risks that IV effect may have weakened. – Instead do it in a Pilot Study
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6
Q

Pilot Study

A

A small-scale study done before the main experiment to test the procedures (aka a test-run).

  • A Pilot Study can be done instead of a Manipulation Check to Demand Characteristics in the main study
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7
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

Anything about the experiment that unintentionally indicates to participants how they should act, making people change their behavior to conform to what they think they should do.

  • Could be smth that reveals the true purpose of the study (ie: Title of study, Instructions)
  • Could be smth that leads people to believe an inaccurate purpose of the study
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8
Q

Expectancy effects (Experimenter Bias)

A

The intentional or unintentional impact that an experimenter’s expectations about the outcome of the study has on participants.

Can happen through:

  • Instructions (wording),
  • behavior (friendly/cold behavior),
  • Informing participants of the purpose of the study

Controlling for Experimenter Bias:

  • Double-blind study (participant + experimenter are unaware of the group the participant is in)
  • Automated procedures/instructions
  • Multiple experimenters
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9
Q

Types of Dependent Variable Measures

A
  1. Behavioral Measures
    • recall, recognition, cued recall, etc.
  2. Self-Report Measures
    • give real-time self-reported measures instead of asking for predictions
  3. Physiological Measures
    • hard to fake, but take more work/background research
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10
Q

Test Example Question:

What features of an experiment handle this issue: Expectancy effects / experimenter bias

A

Answer: Double-Blind Study, Automated procedures/instructions, Multiple experimenters, and more.

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11
Q

Test Example Question

What features of an experiment handle this issue: Demand characteristics

A

Answer: Use of Deception (make participants think you are studying smth you are not), ambiguous (unobtrusive) measures, disguising the measure (usually used for manipulation checks)

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12
Q

Test Example Question:

What features of an experiment handle this issue: Confounding variables

A

Answer: Random assignment, matching or control groups, covariates

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13
Q

Test Example Question:

What features of an experiment handle this issue: Sensitivity of the DV

A

Answer: Pilot Testing the DV (helps ensure sensitivity is just right), using Multiple Measures,

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14
Q

Test Example Question:

What features of an experiment handle this issue: Strength of the manipulation

A

Answer: Manipulation checks, Pilot Studies that check the strength of DV measure,

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