Key Terms and Concepts in Research Design

Question 1

Independant variable (IV)

Answer 1

manipulated by the researcher in the experimental condition thought to be the variable of ‘cause’

Question 2

Dependant variable (DV)

Answer 2

measured by the researcher for the effect of manipulating the IV

Question 3

Demand characteristics

Answer 3

a cue to participants that might make them aware of the researcher’s expectations

Question 4

Validity

Answer 4

the degree to which research can legitmately explain or truly refects the behavior under review.
Validity is concerned with the extent to which something measures what it sets out to measure.

Question 5

Population validity

Answer 5

results from research can be generalised to other groups of people

Question 6

Ecological validity

Answer 6

research findings can be generalised to situations outside the research settings

Question 7

Laboratory experiments note

Answer 7

Note that Laboratory experiments do not automatically lack ecological validity.
Similarly, the fact that research is carried out in a natural setting does not garentee ecological validity.
This may or may not be achieved - it all depends on whether or not the results can be generalised.

Question 8

Reliability

Answer 8

refers to the consistancy of the measurement. If the findings from psychological research are replicated, then they can be said to be reliable.

Question 9

Extraneous variables

Answer 9

variables which are not controlled in the research situation that could confound the research