Experiments

Question 1

What are the 3 basic steps of an experiment?

Answer 1

• Start with hypothesis
• Introduce stimulus
• Compare outcome with and without stimulus

Question 2

Independent variable?

Answer 2

treatment or experimental stimulus (you manipulate)

Question 3

Dependent variable?

Answer 3

Physical conditions, behaviour that change in response to the treatment (you measure)

Question 4

Pre-test?

Answer 4

Measure of the dependent variable prior to the treatment

Question 5

Post-test?

Answer 5

Measure after exposure

Question 6

9 steps in conducting an experiment? Neuman

Answer 6

• Formulate hypothesis
• Decide on design
• Decide how to introduce the stimulus
• Develop valid and reliable measure of the dependent variable
• Set up experimental setting and run pilot test
• Locate subjects
• Conduct experiment
• Debrief subject
• Examine data

Question 7

Classical experimental design?

Answer 7

• Randomly assign experimental and control group
• Post-test
• Stimulus for experimental group
• Post-test

Question 8

Types of experimental group designs?

Answer 8

• One- shot case study design
• One group pre-test post-test design
• Static group comparison
• Two group post-test only design

Question 9

One- shot case study design?

Answer 9

One group (no control group), only post-test, no random assignment

Question 10

One group pre-test post-test design?

Answer 10

One group (no control group), Pre and post-test, no random assignment

Question 11

Static group comparison?

Answer 11

Two groups, post-test only, no random assignment

Question 12

Two group post-test only design?

Answer 12

Same as static group comparison

Question 13

What are the 9 threats to internal validity?

Answer 13

1. History
2. Maturation
3. Testing
4. Demoralisation or compensation rivalry
5. Diffusion of treatment (contamination)
6. Experimental mortality
7. Instrumentation
8. Statistical regression
9. Experimenter expectancy or compensatory treatment

Question 14

Internal validity: history?

Answer 14

When an event occurs during the experiment and influences the dependent variable

Question 15

Internal validity: maturation?

Answer 15

Change in subject’s psychological, emotional,etc state during the experiment

Question 16

Internal validity: testing?

Answer 16

Hawthorne effect

Question 17

Internal validity: Demoralisation or compensation rivalry?

Answer 17

Change in responses of control group due tot he deprivation of stimulus (get competitive)

Question 18

Internal validity: Diffusion of treatment (contamination)?

Answer 18

When participants communicate with each other and thus prepare themselves/ change their attitudes/expectations

Question 19

Internal validity: Experimental mortality?

Answer 19

When subjects withdraw from the experiment

Question 20

Internal validity: instrumentation?

Answer 20

When measure of variable pre-test and post-test not consistent

Question 21

Internal validity: Statistical regression?

Answer 21

Problem of extreme values - regression to the mean

Question 22

Internal validity: Experimenter expectancy or compensatory treatment? + solution

Answer 22

Researcher’s behaviour threatens validity. Solution: double blind: subjects + researchers giving stimulus don’t know which are control of experimental group

Question 23

What are the positives aspects of assessment?

Answer 23

• Cause and effect relationship are easy to see
• Isolation of dependant/ experimental variable
• Replication is easier
• Good for hypothesis testing

Question 24

What are the negatives aspects of assessment?

Answer 24

• Complexity of real life not captured

- Limited to certain types of questions

Question 25

Natural experiment?

Answer 25

When the treatment occurs through some naturally occurring event

Question 26

What are surveys good for?

Answer 26

Describing the characteristics of a large population

Question 27

What are things to avoid when constructing a questionnaire? (3)

Answer 27

• Double negatives
• Biased and misleading terms
• Double barrelled questions

Question 28

Contingency ?

Answer 28

Type of question that leads to another one depending if you answer yes or no

Question 29

Different types of surveys? (4)

Answer 29

• Self administered (mail-in)
• Interview surveys
• Telephone surveys
• Computer (online)

Question 30

Secondary analysis?

Answer 30

Using someone else’s data and analysing it differently