Methodology

Question 1

Define Experimental research & when to use it?

Answer 1

manipulation of variables allowing for cause-effect relationships to be found.

• Used when variables can easily be
  isolated and controlled.

Question 2

what is the difference between experimental & control group

Answer 2

Experimental group: group of participants which are directly effected by the IV.

While, Control group: group of participants which are not effected by the IV (only effected by the controlled variables).

Question 3

define non-experimental research

Answer 3

no manipulation of variables.

Question 4

define observational research (non-experimental )

Answer 4

Observational research: the observation of participants and phenomena in their most natural settings.

Question 5

what is correlational research (non-experimental)

Answer 5

research: takes data from 2 variables with no manipulation of variables (correlation does not equal causation).

Question 6

what is longitudinal research

Answer 6

a research technique that studies the same group of individuals over an extended period of time; tend to be rare

Question 7

what is cross-sectional research

Answer 7

a research technique that compares individuals from different age groups at one time; more common

Question 8

what is the difference between population and sample

Answer 8

population is the group of interest, while sample is the population of interest.

Question 9

define convenience sampling

Answer 9

when researchers use people who are easily available to them.

Question 10

define snowballing

Answer 10

Similar to convenience
sampling, but that the next group to
be surveyed are recommended by
past group of participants.

Question 11

what is random sampling

Answer 11

a type of probability sampling in which the researcher randomly selects a subset of participants from a population

Question 12

what is random stratified sampling

Answer 12

a method of sampling that involves the division of a population into smaller subgroup

Question 13

explain why random stratified sampling is better than random sampling

Answer 13

Least bias and most representative of population.

Takes the most time and effort.

Question 14

what is Random allocation of participants

Answer 14

ensures that all participants who have been selected for an experiment have an equal chance of being in the experimental group, or the control group.

Question 15

what is the placebo effect & what is the solution

Answer 15

Placebo effect:

A change in the behaviour/ results of a participant due to them believing they are a part of the experimental group.

They believe they are being effected by the IV when they are not.

Solution:

Single-blind procedures:

When the participant does not know if they’re part of the experimental or control group

Used to avoid the placebo effect

Question 16

what is the Experimenter effect problem & what is the solution

Answer 16

Experimenter effect:

When the results of an experiment are unintentionally influenced by the experimenter.

Eg. If the experimenter reacts differently to ”right” or “wrong” answers.

Solution:

Double-blind procedures:

Neither the participant nor the experimenter know who the control and experimental groups are

Used to avoid the experimenter effect

Question 17

what is the Demand characteristics problem & what is the solution

Answer 17

Problem:

Demand characteristics:

Cues that might indicate the research objectives to participants

Eg. Directly asking for someone’s option on a topic, rather than letting it come up naturally.

Different to experimenter effect as it is an issue with the methods of the investigation – not experimenter.

Solution:

Standardisation of procedures and instructions

By ensuring questions are up to standard when comparing to other, similar studies, questions can be considered more trustworthy, leading to more reliable, valid results.