Experiments + Correlation Definitions Flashcards
Dependent Variable
The variable that is measured in an experiment
Independent Variable
The variable that is manipulated in an experiment
Manipulated
What is changed within an experiment to create the two levels of the IV
Controls
How a person regulates variables or the experiment
Independent Measures
Design where there are two different groups doing different conditions of the IV
Repeated Measures
Design where the same participants are used in both groups to carry out both conditions of the IV
Matched Participants
Design where participants are matched from two different group by a certain characteristic e.g. age, gender, IQ
Order Effects
When participants’ results are affected by doing a test more than once
Progressive Effects
Reflects changes in participants’ responses that result from their cumulative exposure to prior conditions
Practice Effects
A performance improvement due to greater experience with a task
Fatigue Effect
A performance decline that results from becoming tired, inattentive, or less motivated to perform well w. repeated exposure to a task
Carryover Effect
When participants responses in one condition are uniquely influenced by the particular condition or conditions that preceded it
Sensitization
Exposure to multiple conditions increases participants’ awareness of, or sensitivity to the variable that is being experimentally manipulated
Counterbalancing
Splitting a condition of participants in half and making them experience all possible orders of the study
Operationalized
Turning abstract concepts into measurable observations
Demand Characteristics
If a participant finds out the purpose of the experiment they may change their behaviour or not act naturally
Experiment
A scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact by investigating the change of an IV and how it has an effect on the DV
Lab Experiment
An experiment conducted under highly controlled conditions to investigate the effect that the change of an IV has on the DV
Field Experiment
Carried out in the everyday environment of the participants testing the IV’s effect on the DV
Quasi Experiment
The IV is naturally occurring within the participant and would most likely be unethical to manipulate e.g. child abuse. Still tests the IV’s effect on the DV. Can be carried out in both artificial or natural settings
Random Allocation
Participants are randomly allocated to different conditions of the IV
Single Blind
Only the participants don’t know which condition of the IV they’re in
Double Blind
Both the experimenters and the participants don’t know what level of the IV they’re in
Extraneous Variables
Other variables (not the IV) which could affect the results of the experiment e.g. weather
Participant Variables
Differences between participants which are not controlled for within an experiment
Situational Variables
Factors in the environment that can unintentionally affect the results of a study
Ecological Validity
Refers to the extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be generalised to real-life settings
Reliability
The overall consistency of the measure or study
Mundane Realism
The degree to which the materials and procedures involved in an experiment are similar to events that occur in the real world
Co-Variables
The variables being tested in a correlation
Correlation Coefficient
A number between 1 and -1 that tells how strong a relationship is
Positive Correlation
As one co-variable increases, the other co-variable also increases
Negative Correlation
As one co-variable increases, the other co-variable decreases
No correlation
Where there is no trend between the two co-variables
Hypothesis
A precise, testable statement of what the researchers predict(s) will be the outcome of the study
Alternative/Experimental Hypothesis
States there is a relationship between the IV and the DV
Null Hypothesis
States there is no relationship between the IV and the DV
Directional/One tailed Hypothesis
Predicts the nature/direction of the effect of the IV on the DV
Non-Directional/Two tailed Hypothesis
Predicts that the IV will have an effect on the DV, but the direction of the effect is not specified
Falsification
To falsify a statement
