Experimental Methods- RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards
RESEARCH METHODS
What must experiments must have
Independent Variable (I.V)
Dependent Variable (D.V)
Independent Variable
Variable that changes
Operationalised Independent Variable
Make measurable
Dependent Variable
Variable you measure
Extraneous Variable
Variables we need to control
Confounding variables
Factors other than the independent variable that may cause a result.
Examples of Participant Variables (3)
Any characteristic or aspect of a participant’s background
- Age
- Eyesight
- Tolerance to caffeine
Examples of Situational Variables (3)
Environmental variables that alter participants’ behaviours
- Speed of throw
- Amount of coke
- Rain
Standardised Procedure
Keeping everything the same. Control with sensible design
Counterbalancing
- Combine results
- Compare Condition A with Condition B
- Order effects should cancel out
- Any difference that remains must be due to the IV
Repeated measures design
Using the same participants in each condition. Two sets of materials matched for difficulty.
Strength of Repeated measures design (2)
- Controls for individual differences
- Need fewer participants
Weakness of Repeated measures design (3)
- Each participant has to do at least 2 tasks
- Order of doing tasks is significant- there are order effects.
- More likely to work out the aim
Independent measures design
Using different participants in each condition.
Strength of Independent measures design (3)
- Order effects not a problem
- Less demand characteristics
- Less likely to work out the aim
Weakness of Independent measures design (2)
- Twice as many participants would be needed to produce equivalent data
- Increases time and money spent on recruiting participants
Matched pairs design
Using different but similar participants in each condition
Strength of Matched pairs design (2)
- Participants only take part in a single condition so order effects and demand characteristics are less of a problem
- Less likely to work out the aim
Weakness of Matched pairs design (3)
- Matching may be time- consuming and expensive, particularly if a pre- test is required
- Less economical
- Difficult to identify appropriate variables