Experimental Method

Question 1

Define experiment

Answer 1

• the prime method of inquiry in science
• investigation in which a HYPOTHESIS is tested
• the IV is manipulated
• the DV is measured
• any EVs are controlled

Question 2

key features of an experiment are?

Answer 2

• control over variables
• careful measurement
• establishing cause & effect relationships

Question 3

IV

Answer 3

the cause

is manipulated

Question 4

DV

Answer 4

the effect

is measured

Question 5

Advantage of an Experiment is?

Answer 5

they should be OBJECTIVE
the views and opinions of the researcher should NOT affect the results
:)= makes data MORE VALID, LESS BIASED

Question 6

Define Lab Experiment

Answer 6

• conducted under highly controlled conditions
• makes accurate measurements possible
• NOT necessarily in a lab
• participants are randomly allocated to each IV group

Question 7

What does the researcher decide in a LE?

Answer 7

• where the experiment will take place
• @ what time
• w/ which participants
• in what circumstances
• using a standardised procedure

Question 8

Pros of LEs

Answer 8

• easier to replicate an LE= because a standardised procedure is used
• LEs allow for precise control of EVs & IVs= allows a C&E relationship to be est

Question 9

Cons of LEs

Answer 9

• the artificiality of the setting may produce unnatural behaviour that does NOT reflect real life= LOW ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY- means impossible to generalise results
• demand characteristics/ experimenter effects may BIAS the results and become CVs

Question 10

Examples of LEs

Answer 10

• Milgram Obedience

- Loftus & Palmer= car crash study

Question 11

Define Field Experiment

Answer 11

• are done in the everyday environment of the participants

- the experimenter STILL manipulates the IV but in a real life setting- thus can NOT control EVs

Question 12

Pros of FEs

Answer 12

• behaviour in an F= MORE LIKELY to reflect real life because of its natural setting= HIGHER ECO VALIDITY
• there’s LESS LIKELIHOOD of DCs affecting the results= as the participants may NOT know that they’re being studied (COVERT)

Question 13

Cons of FEs

Answer 13

• less control over EVs that might BIAS the results- makes it hard for REPLICATION

Question 14

Example of FE

Answer 14

Hofling (1966) hospital experiment

Question 15

Define Natural Experiment

Answer 15

• conducted in the banal environment of the participants, but here the experimenter has NO control over the IV as it occurs NATURALLY in real life

Question 16

Example of NE

Answer 16

Hodge’s & Tizard’s attachment research (1989)

Question 17

Hodge & Tizard (1989)

Answer 17

• compared the LT development of kids who’d been adopted, fostered or returned to their moms
• w/ a CG of kids who’d never parted from their families

Question 18

Pros of NEs

Answer 18

• behaviour in a NE= natural- HIGH ECO VALIDITY- more likely to reflect real life
• LESS likelihood of DCs affecting the results= participants may NOT know they’re being watched
• can be used in situations where it’d be ETHICALLY UNREASONABLE to manipulate the IV= ex: researching stress

Question 19

Cons of NEs

Answer 19

• may be more cher & time consuming than LEs

- NO control over EVs that might BIAS the results- makes it hard for REPLICATION