L1 - Experimental Methods

Question 1

The Independant Variable

Answer 1

The variable that the researcher manipulates in order to determine its effect on the DV.

Sometimes referred to as experimental conditions.

Question 2

The Dependant Variable

Answer 2

The variable that is being measured. The IV and DV should be operationalised.

This is defining the variables in such a way to make them measurable.

Question 3

Extraneous Variables

Answer 3

These are any variables that COULD affect the DV.

Question 4

Confounding Variables

Answer 4

These are any variables that HAVE affected the DV.

Question 5

What are laboratory experiments?

Answer 5

• Carried out in a controlled environment, which allows the researcher to have high levels of control over the IV.
• Participants are randomly allocated to a condition, meaning neither the experimenter nor the participant decides which condition the participant is placed in.

Question 6

Advantages of Lab Experiments

Answer 6

1. High levels of control in lab, easy to prevent any EV’s becoming CV’s
2. Because the researcher can manipulate the IV, they can establish a cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV
3. Can be easily replicated, and if results are similar, results can be seen as reliable

Question 7

Disadvantages of Lab Experiments

Answer 7

1. Strong chance of demand characteristics, decreasing the validity of the results
2. Study may lack mundane realism, also lacking ecological validity, meaning the results cannot be generalised to real life situations.

Question 8

What are Field Experiments?

Answer 8

They are carried out in the real world. The IV is manipulated by the researcher to see the effect on the DV.

Question 9

Advantages of Field Experiments

Answer 9

1. Much more mundane realism and ecological validity when compared to lab experiments
2. A cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV can be established
3. Less chance of demand characteristics

Question 10

Disadvantages of Field Experiments

Answer 10

1. Research may not be valid as there is much less control over EV so the effect on the DV may not be caused by the IV, but instead by extraneous variables.
2. There is less control over the sample
3. These types of experiments are much harder to replicate

Question 11

What are Natural Experiments?

Answer 11

This is where the researcher takes advantage of a naturally occurring IV to see its effect on the DV.

Question 12

Advantages of Natural Experiments

Answer 12

1. There is a high level of mundane realism and ecological validity
2. Useful when its impossible/unethical to manipulate the IV/sample in a lab or field experiment

Question 13

Disadvantages of Natural Experiments

Answer 13

1. Less control over extraneous variables
2. Difficult to replicate
3. Far more difficult to determine the cause and effect

Question 14

What are Quasi Experiments?

Answer 14

They contain a naturally occurring IV, which is difference that already exists between people. An example may be gender or age. The examiner the effect of this variable on the DV.

Question 14

What are Quasi Experiments?

Answer 14

They contain a naturally occurring IV, which is difference that already exists between people. An example may be gender or age. The examiner the effect of this variable on the DV.