Methodologies - Experimental Methods Flashcards
What is an independent variable?
A variable that a researcher manipulates to determine its effect on the dependent variable
How is the independent variable divided into experimental conditions?
Provide a standard in which the experimental conditions can be measured
Can include a control condition where the IV isn’t manipulated at all
What is a dependent variable?
A variable that is being measured
What do IV & DV variables need to be?
OPERATIONALISED - defined in a way that they can be measured
What is an extraneous variable?
Variables other than the IV that can affect the DV
What are confounding variables?
Variables that have already affected the dependent variable
What are the 4 types of experiments?
Lab
Field
Natural
Quasi
What are the conditions for a lab experiment?
Controlled environment
High level of control of IV & no EV
Measures change of DV through changing of IV
Participants randomly allocated to condition
What are the pros of lab experiments?
High level of control of IV
No EV
Can establish cause and effect relationship
Can easily be replicated to test reliability of results
What are the disadvantages of lab experiments?
Strong chance of demand characteristics (EV)
Too high control of IV & EV can cause experiment to lack mundane realism
What is mundane realism?
The extent which the experiment reflects real life
Means the study lacks ecological validity
What are the conditions for field experiments?
Carried out in the real world
IV is manipulated by the researcher to see its effect on the DV
What are the advantages of field experiments?
More mundane realism & ecological validity than lab experiments
Researcher can still manipulate the IV and establish cause & effect relationship
Lower chance of demand characteristics
What are the disadvantages of field experiments?
Much less control over EV (invalid)
More difficult to replicate
What are the conditions for a natural experiment?
Researcher takes advantage of a naturally occurring IV to see its effect on the DV
What are the advantages of natural experiments?
High level of mundane realism & ecological validity
Useful when it is impossible/unethical to manipulate the IV
What are the disadvantages of natural experiments?
Less control over EV
Difficult to replicate
Difficult to determine cause and effect relationship
What are the conditions for Quasi experiments?
Naturally occurring IV - NATURAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIFFERENT PEOPLE
Usually no random assignment to groups
Examiner researches the effect on the DV
What are the pros of Quasi experiments?
Higher level of mundane realism & ecological validity
Useful when it’s impossible to manipulate the IV
What are the disadvantages of Quasi experiments?
Difficult to replicate
Can have participant variables
