Lesson 1- Experimental Methods

Question 1

Define independent variable

Answer 1

Independent variable- manipulated by researcher- see effect on D.V- I.V divided into experiment conditions

Question 2

Define dependent variable

Answer 2

Dependent Variable- being measured

Question 3

Define extraneous variable

Answer 3

Extraneous Variable- could affect D.V- variables other than I.V

Question 4

Define confounding variable

Answer 4

Confounding Variable- have affected D.V

Question 5

What is a control condition?

Answer 5

Control condition- standard- experimental conditions compared to- I.V possibly ✖️ manipulated at all

Question 6

What is operationalisation?

Answer 6

Operationalisation = define variable + how to measure variable

Question 7

What is a lab 🧪 experiment?

Answer 7

Lab 🧪 Experiments- controlled environment- good control over variables (I.V & E.V) & eliminate affects of E.V on results – pps randomly allocated to condition (unpredictable)

Question 8

What are the evaluation points of lab 🧪 experiments?

Answer 8

👎- demand characteristics or social desirability bias (⬆️ ➕ 🏃‍♂‍)– pps guess aim of study- change 🏃‍♂‍-> invalid data/results
👍- ⬆️ control of variables (I.V & conditions)- prevent extraneous variables becoming confounding variables- may affect results … allows cause and effect to be established- between I.V and D.V as ✖️ E.V having effect on D.V
👎- ✖️ mundane realism (✖️ reflect real life)- due to ⬆️ variable control- … low ecological validity (✖️ generalise findings- real life situations)
👍- study easily replicated because controlled environment and variables

Question 9

What is a field 🌳 experiment?

Answer 9

Field 🌳 Experiments- Real 🌍/ natural 🌱 setting- I.V still manipulated to see effect on D.V

Question 10

What are the evaluation points of field experiments?

Answer 10

👎- ⬇️ control over E.V- … effect on D.V maybe caused by E.V instead of I.V- … results/research ✖️ valid … cause and effect ✖️ established
👍- ⬆️ mundane realism & ecological validity (reflects real life)- findings applied to other real 🌍 situations
👎- 🌳 difficult to replicate- … unreliable unlike 🧪
👍- ⬇️ chance of demand characteristics- pps ✖️ know- taking part in research- … ⬆️ natural 🏃‍♂‍ & ⬆️ valid data collected

Question 11

What are natural experiments?

Answer 11

Natural experiments - variables✖️ directly manipulated (✖️ conditions caused by experimenter)- I.V occurs naturally- experimenter finds pps- already meet conditions

Question 12

What are the evaluation points of natural experiments?

Answer 12

👎- ⬇️ control over E.V compared to 🧪 … cause and effect ✖️ established
👍- ⬆️ mundane realism & ecological validity compared to 🧪- findings applied to real life- real life situations
👎- difficult to replicate- unreliable- different results gained if experiment repeated
👍- useful when manipulating I.V impossible/unethical e.g. ppl with ⬆️ stress & cholesterol levels

Question 13

What is a Quasi experiment?

Answer 13

Quasi experiment- I.V is naturally occurring BUT I.V is different between ppl (gender & age e.g.)- usually take place in 🧪 setting

Question 14

What are the evaluation points of Quasi experiments?

Answer 14

👎- ✖️ ecological validity- artificial- ✖️ reflect real life 🏃‍♂‍
👍- ⬆️ control of variables- effects of E.V minimised-> experimenter ⬆️ confident- I.V manipulation-> affect on D.V … allows cause and effect to be established
👎- demand characteristics- pps try to guess aim of study (accurately/inaccurately)- 🏃‍♂‍ affect data collected
👍- due to strict variable controls- easy to replicate study- test reliability of findings

Question 15

What are the 4 types of experiments?

Answer 15

1) Lab 🧪 experiment
2) Quasi experiment
3) Field 🌳 experiment
4) Natural experiment