Experimental Research methods

Question 1

Cause-and-effect relationships:

Answer 1

a connection between two events where one event (the cause) directly leads to the other event (the effect).

Question 2

Control Groups
in laboratory experiments:

Answer 2

A control group does not receive the treatment or manipulation given to the experimental group.

This allows for comparison and helps assess the effect of the IV.

Question 3

Control in laboratory experiments:

Answer 3

Control means using methods to reduce outside factors that could affect the results, so any changes are only due to the variable being tested.

Question 4

Dependent Variable (DV):

Answer 4

Something that is measured following manipulation of the IV.

Question 5

Direct Manipulation of Independent Variable
In a laboratory experiment

Answer 5

the researcher actively changes or controls the independent variable to see how it affects the dependent variable.

Question 6

External Validity:

Answer 6

how well the results of a study can be generalized to real-world situations, including other people, places, or times.

Question 7

Extraneous Variable:

Answer 7

An unwanted variable that adds error to an experiment.

Question 8

Field Experiment:

Answer 8

a scientific study that is conducted outside of a controlled laboratory setting, in a real-world environment.

Question 9

How are participants often matched in quasi-experiments?

Answer 9

age, educational background, or gender.

Question 10

How are quasi-experiments and natural experiments related?

Answer 10

They are often used interchangeably; natural experiments can be considered a type of quasi-experiment.

Question 11

How do field experiments compare to laboratory experiments?

Answer 11

Like laboratory experiments, field experiments manipulate the independent variable to find a causal relationship.

Question 12

In the context of the Stroop effect, what typically takes longer: reading colors or naming colors?

Answer 12

naming colours

Question 13

In what type of setting do field experiments typically take place?

Answer 13

In a natural setting.

Question 14

What are investigation effects and demand characteristics?

Answer 14

They refer to how the setup of a study can influence how participants behave, making them act differently than they normally would.

Question 15

Independent Variable (IV):

Answer 15

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

Question 16

Laboratory Experiment:

Answer 16

controlled investigation conducted in a lab where variables are manipulated to observe their effects.

Question 17

Natural Experiment:

Answer 17

Studies where the experimenter cannot manipulate the independent variable.

Question 18

Participants often behave in artificial ways:

Answer 18

act different ways than usual because of the setting

Question 19

Quasi Experiment:

Answer 19

an experiment where participants cannot be randomly assigned to experimental and control groups.

Question 20

Randomisation :
In laboratory experiments

Answer 20

Participants are randomly placed in different groups to reduce bias and make groups comparable, which helps spread out any confounding variables.

Question 21

Reduced ecological validity:

Answer 21

The findings may not apply to real-life situations.

Question 22

reduction in demand characteristics:

Answer 22

minimising clues in a study that might lead participants to alter their behaviour based on what they think the researchers want. This helps ensure more natural responses.

Question 23

What are field experiments?

Answer 23

Controlled studies that take place in a natural setting.

Question 24

what are the strengths of field experiments?

Answer 24

Cause-and-effect relationships can be uncovered.

Higher levels of ecological validity than a true experiment.

Reduction in demand characteristics.

Question 25

What are the strengths of laboratory experiments?

Answer 25

High levels of control of extraneous variables.

high degree of reliability.

cause -and-effect relationships can be uncovered.

Question 26

what are the strengths of Natural and Quasi experiments?

Answer 26

Useful where it would be impractical or impossible to manipulate variables.

High levels of ecological validity.

Question 27

What are the two theories that explain the Stroop effect?

Answer 27

Speed of Processing Theory and Selective Attention Theory.

Question 28

What are the weaknesses of field experiments?

Answer 28

Reduced control over extraneous variables.

Often more time consuming.

Question 29

What are the weaknesses of laboratory experiments?

Answer 29

reduced ecological validity.

increase risk of investigation effects and demand characteristics.

participants are often required to behave in ways that are artificial.

Question 30

what are the weaknesses of Natural and Quasi experiments?

Answer 30

Not always possible to clearly identify cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 31

What can sometimes dictate the use of natural experiments?

Answer 31

practical and ethical reasons.

Question 32

What does Selective Attention Theory suggest about the Stroop effect?

Answer 32

Interference occurs because naming colours requires more attention than reading words.

Question 33

What does Speed of Processing Theory suggest about the Stroop effect?

Answer 33

Interference occurs because words are read faster than colours are named.

Question 34

What is a challenge in many types of research regarding participant assignment?

Answer 34

Participants cannot be randomly assigned to experimental and control groups

Question 35

What is a key characteristic of participant awareness in field experiments?

Answer 35

Participants are often unaware they are involved in research.

Question 36

What is a key difference in manipulation of the independent variable between quasi- and natural experiments?

Answer 36

Planned manipulation of the independent variable is possible in quasi-experiments but not in natural experiments.

Question 37

What is a key limitation of natural experiments regarding control?

Answer 37

there is no control over variables.

Question 38

What is the dependent variable in a field experiment?

Answer 38

The behaviour of the participant.

Question 39

What is the difference between a control condition and a comparison condition in quasi-experiments?

Answer 39

Quasi-experiments have a comparison condition instead of a control (baseline) condition.

Question 40

What is the main goal of manipulating the independent variable in field experiments?

Answer 40

To find a causal relationship between variables.

Question 41

Why can participants not be randomly assigned to conditions in quasi-experiments?

Answer 41

Because the independent variable is often an innate characteristic of the participants.

Question 42

Why do participants in field experiments often remain unaware of their involvement?

Answer 42

The method seeks to measure natural behaviour.

Question 43

Why is establishing cause-and-effect relationships challenging in natural experiments?

Answer 43

There is no direct manipulation of the independent variable and variables are often uncontrolled.

Question 44

Why is measuring natural behaviour important in field experiments?

Answer 44

Field experiments provide results that better reflect real-world behaviours by studying participants in their natural settings.

Question 45

Why might natural experiments be the only viable method?

Answer 45

Because the event is not planned by researchers.

Question 46

Why might the results of Stroop tests reflect differences in training?

Answer 46

People have more experience consciously reading words than labeling colors.