Experiments - Quantitative

Question 1

Laboratory experiments

Answer 1

Rare in sociology

- research conducted in a controlled environment in order to try and control variables, improving reliability

Question 2

Field experiment

Answer 2

Little more common

• research conducted in an uncontrolled ‘real world’ environment
• efforts made to control variables as far as possible, to test hypothesis

Question 3

Independent variable

Answer 3

Variable that the researcher changes

Question 4

Dependent variable

Answer 4

The variable measured to observe the impact of the independent variable upon it

Question 5

Hawthorn effect

Answer 5

People know they are being watched, change how they act

Question 6

Informed consent

Answer 6

Consented and understand purpose of research

Question 7

Questionnaires - what do they produce?

Answer 7

Quantitative data

• very reliable
• not valid enough - field more so than laboratory
• not very representative - likely a small sample

Question 8

Are questionnaires practical?

Answer 8

Expensive and time consuming

Question 9

Are questionnaires ethical ?

Answer 9

Often involves deception A could involve physical or psychological harm

Question 10

Theorists for questionnaires

Answer 10

Positivists - most scientific approach

Question 11

Psychological study

Answer 11

Banduras Bobo doll

Question 12

Examples of questionnaires

Answer 12

Rosenthal and Jacobson - Pygmalion in the classroom