Experimental Methods/ variables

Question 1

what is an aim?

Answer 1

a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study

Question 2

what is a hypothesis?

Answer 2

a clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated. it is started at the outset of any study

Question 3

what is a directional hypothesis?

Answer 3

it states the direction of the difference or relationship (better/ worse)

Question 4

what is a non-directional hypothesis?

Answer 4

does not state the direction (there will be a change/ difference)

Question 5

what is a null hypothesis?

Answer 5

states there will be not difference

Question 6

what is operationalisation?

Answer 6

clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured. quantifying the variable, so usually making it numerical.

energy drink -> ml

Question 7

when do psychologists use a directional hypothesis?

Answer 7

when the findings of previous research studies suggest a particular outcome.

Question 8

when do psychologists tend to use a non directional hypothesis?

Answer 8

when there is no previous research or the findings are contradictory

Question 9

what is an independent variable?

Answer 9

some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher- or changed naturally- so the effect on the DV can be measured

Question 10

what is a dependant variable?

Answer 10

the variable that is measured by the researcher. any effect on the DV should be caused by the change in the IV

Question 11

what is an extraneous variable?

Answer 11

any variable, other than the IV, that may have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled

Question 12

what is a confounding variable?

Answer 12

any variable, other than the IV, that may have effected the DV so we cannot be sure of the true source of challenge to the DV. CV’s vary systematically with the IV.

Question 13

what is an example of a confounding variable in an experiment with energy drinks?

Answer 13

the sugar, as the caffeine increases so does the sugar so we are unable to say whether the DV is changed by the caffeine or sugar

Question 14

what are participant variables?

Answer 14

any individual differences between participants that may affect the DV

Question 15

what are situational variables?

Answer 15

any features of the experimental situation that may affect the DV

Question 16

what is standardisation?

Answer 16

using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study

Question 17

what are demand characteristics?

Answer 17

any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of their investigation. this may lead to a participant changing their behaviour within the research situation.

Question 18

what is randomisation?

Answer 18

the use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of conditions

Question 19

what are investigator effects?

Answer 19

any effect of the investigators behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the outcome (the DV). this may include everything from the design of the study to the selections/ interactions with participants during the research process.