Experimental Types

Question 1

Define independent variable

Answer 1

Something manipulated by the researcher

Question 2

Define the dependant variable

Answer 2

What is being measured

Question 3

2 key features of a experiment

Answer 3

Researcher manipulates the IV to investigate whether there is a change in DV
All other variables which may influence results share held cons at or eliminated

Question 4

Define lab experiment

Answer 4

High level of control the researcher has over all variables in the study

Question 5

How can a researcher have high levels of control

Answer 5

Control extraneous variables eg noise and temp
Using standardised set of instructions

Question 6

Weakness of lab experiment

Answer 6

• lacks ecological validity, cannot be replicated in real life
• lacks mundane realism, task in lab study don’t reflect task in real life
• demand characteristics and social desirability bias

Question 7

Strength

Answer 7

• researcher can establish cause and effect due to extraneous variables being kept constant
• high internal validity, observed changes in DV due to change in IV
• easily replicated due to standardised procedure

Question 8

Define feild study’s

Answer 8

• conducted in naturalistic setting change in location is an attempt to avoid artificial nature of lab studies

Question 9

Strengths of field study

Answer 9

• high ecological validity, ppts should behave naturally, more likely or Ed behaviour can be applied in real life
• high mundane realism, closer to type of activity ppts would normally Carrie out
• demand characteristics less likely to occur

Question 10

Weaknesses of field experiment

Answer 10

• lac of control over extraneous variables that could influence the measurement of DV
• hard to replicate
• sample bias, hard to randomly assign ppt to separate condition, so change in DV may be a result of ppt variable reducing internal validity

Question 11

Define natural experiment

Answer 11

2 levels of IV have occurred naturally without influence from researcher, researcher records change in DV between the 2 levels of IV

Question 12

When can natural experiment occur

Answer 12

When an event causes people to form into levels of IV eg mental health

Question 13

Strengths of natural studies

Answer 13

• allows research to occur in areas that could not happen in a controlled experiment either due to ethical or cost reasons
• no demand characteristics, real behaviour occurring in the real world, leads to high external validity

Question 14

Weakness of natural experiments

Answer 14

• cant establish cause and effect as extraneous variables cant be controlled due to the event already taking place regardless of the researcher
• lack reliability as they cant be replicated due to events happening rarely

Question 15

Define quasi experiments

Answer 15

• ppts cannot be randomly assigned between levels of IV, often because the level of IV is an innate Characteristics of ppts

Question 16

What characteristics would a researcher would like to to study in a quasi experiment

Answer 16

Gender, age, income, eduction leve

Question 17

Strengths of quasi experiments

Answer 17

• only way to experimentally study factors that are pre existing characteristics of ppts

Question 18

Weaknesses o quasi experiment

Answer 18

• confounding variables, my be other factors related to the level of IV that cannot be controlled, alter measure the of DV