Experimental Method Flashcards
What are the three key factors that a true experiment has?
- The researcher manipulates the IV in order to investigate whether there is a change in the second variable (DV). 2. All other variables, which might influence the results, are either controlled, held constant or eliminated. 3. Participants are allocated to the experimental conditions randomly
What is a variable?
A variable is anything that can be measured and that can change.
Basis hypothesis?
A change in the IV will affect the DV
What are confounding variables?
Variables that are uncontrolled and produce an unwanted effect on the DV. This distorts the findings and a cause-and-effect relationship is harder to find
What is a quasi-experiment?
An experiment where the investigator lacks complete control over the IV and/or the allocation of participants to groups
What are the three advantages of the experimental method?
Holding variables constant, force pace and easy to analyse
Expand on “holding variables constant”
By holding all variables constant, except the IV, and experimenter can establish a cause-and-effect relationship
Expand on “force pace”
The researchers do no have to wait for natural events before conducting the research. They can also select when and where the experiment will be carried out.
Expand on “easy to analyse”
Experimental methods generate quantitative data which is easy to analyse. One analysed results are easy to generalise to the whole population
What are the three disadvantages to the experimental method?
Over representation, knowing they are participants and inappropriate or unethical
Expand on “overrepresentation”
It has been found that participants in these experiments often reflect an overrepresentation of males and specific cultures (particularly the USA and Europe). There are also a lot of university students who are smarter than the average person
Expand on “knowing they are participants”
Participants usually know they are taking part in a psychological experiment. They may therefore act differently
Expand on “inappropriate or unethical”
It is not always possible to do an experiment as it may be unethical or inappropriate
Give an example of when it would be unethical to do an experimental method
Discipline in schools would be better studied by observation
