Lesson 1-Experimental Methods

Question 1

Define the independent variable

Answer 1

A variable the researcher manipulates to determine its effect on the dependent variable

Question 2

Define dependent variable

Answer 2

Variable being measured within the experiment

Question 3

Define operationalisation

Answer 3

Defining the variable in such a way to make it measurable

Question 4

Define extraneous variable

Answer 4

Variables other than the IV that COULD have an affect on the dependent variable

Question 5

Define confounding variable

Answer 5

Variables other than the IV that HAVE affected the dependent variable

Question 6

What is a laboratory experiment

Answer 6

A experiment that is carried out in a controlled environment that allows the researcher to have a high level of control over the independent variable.

Question 7

How are conditions allocated in a laboratory experiment?

Answer 7

They are randomly allocated e.g by pulling names out of a hat

Question 8

Advantages of laboratory experiments?

Answer 8

1) High levels of control in a lab experiment so it is easy to prevent EV from becoming CV

2) Can directly establish cause and effect relationship between IV and DV

3) Can be REPLICATED to test RELIABILITY of the experiment

Question 9

Disadvantages of laboratory experiments?

Answer 9

1) High chance of DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS

2) high control over IV and EV can result in LOW mundane realism and LOW ecological validity

Question 10

What is mundane realism?

Answer 10

The extent to which an experiment reflects real life

Question 11

What are demand characteristics?

Answer 11

A type of EV where participants guess the aim of the experiment and alter the behaviour accordingly

Question 12

What is low ecological validity?

Answer 12

The ability to generalise findings of research into the real world

Question 13

What is a field experiment?

Answer 13

Field experiments are carried out in the REAL WORLD.
In this type of experiment the IV is manipulated in order to see its effects on the DV

Question 14

Advantages of field experiments?

Answer 14

1) More ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY and MUNDANE REALISM

2)Because the researcher can manipulate the IV a CAUSE AND EFFECT relationship can be established

3) Lower chance of DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS as participants may not be aware an experiment is being conducted on them

Question 15

Disadvantages of field experiments?

Answer 15

1) difficult to replicate

2) less control over the sample (who’s participating)

Question 16

What is a natural experiment?

Answer 16

An experiment where the researcher takes advantage of the natural occurring IV to see its effects on the DV

Question 17

Advantages of natural experiments?

Answer 17

1. high ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY and MUNDANE REALISM
2. Useful when it’s impossible or unethical to manipulate the IV

Question 18

Disadvantages of field experiments?

Answer 18

1. Less control over EV
2. Difficult to replicate

3.Difficult to determine cause and effect.

Question 19

What are Quasi experiments?

Answer 19

A type of experiment which contain a naturally occuring INDEPENDENT VARIABLE.

-However in a quasi experiment the naturally occuring IV is a difference between people that already exist (i.e gender or age)