Experimental method terminology Flashcards

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1
Q

Independent variable

A

manipulated by researcher or changes naturally so effect in dependent variable can be measured

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2
Q

Dependent variable

A

Variable measured by researcher. Any effect on it should be caused by change in IV

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3
Q

Extraneous variable

A

Any variable other than IV that may affect DV if not controlled. They’re nuisance variables that don’t vary systematically with IV

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4
Q

Confounding variables

A

A kind of EV but varies systematically with IV. Therefore we can’t tell if any change in DV is due to IV or CV

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5
Q

Aim

A

General expression of what researcher intends to investigate

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6
Q

Operationalised hypotheses

A

Statement of what researcher believes to be true, should be clearly defined and measurable

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7
Q

Directional hypothesis

A

States whether changes are < or >, + or -

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8
Q

Non-directional hypothesis

A

doesn’t state direction, just that there’s difference, correlation, association. Used when there’s no theory/previous research or it’s contradictory

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9
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Refers to any cue from researcher or research situation that may reveal aim of study, and change participants’ behaviour

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10
Q

Investigator effects

A

Any effect of investigator’s behaviour on outcome of research (DV) and also on design decisions

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11
Q

Randomisation

A

Use of chance when designing investigations to control for effects of bias

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12
Q

Standardisation

A

Using exactly same formalised procedures for all parts otherwise differences become EV

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13
Q

Pilot studies

A

Small-scale trial run of investigation to test procedures so that research can be modified

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14
Q

Control groups/control conditions

A

used to set comparison . Act as baseline and help establish causation

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15
Q

Control groups

A

Experiment with independent groups design, group of participants who receive no treatment. Their behaviour acts as baseline against which the effect of IV may be measured

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16
Q

Control conditions

A

Condition in repeated measures design that provides baseline measure of behaviour

17
Q

Single blind

A

Participant doesn’t know aims of study so demand characteristics are reduced

18
Q

Double blind

A

Participant and researcher don’t know aims of study to reduce demand characteristics and investigator effects

18
Q

Random allocation

A

Attempt to control for PV in independent groups design which ensures each participant has same chance of being in 1 condition as any other

18
Q

Experimental groups

A

Group in independent groups design containing IV as distinct from control

19
Q

Counterbalance

A

Attempt to control effects of order in repeated measures design: half participants experience conditions in 1 order and other half in opposite order

19
Q

Validity

A

Whether observed effect is genuine

20
Q

Order effects

A

Participants tested more than once - may lead to better performance through practice, or worse performance due to boredom or fatigue

21
Q

Situational variables

A

characteristics of situation

22
Q

Participant variable

A

characteristics of participants