Methodology Flashcards
Explain what the Independent Variable is? (IV)
- this is when the researchers manipulates/change the conditions of one group than the other
- always in the experimental group
e. g. giving vodka to one group but not the other or giving more of the substance
Explain what the Dependant Variable is? (DV)
- the researchers use this to measure the impact of the independent variable
(the way to think it is that it measures the difference)
e.g. memory test
What is operationalisation and how are IV/DV operationalised?
Operationalizing refers to how you will define and measure a specific variable as it is used in your study
IV - is the difference big enough to make an impact/consider the manipulation
DV - give a measurable unit
Describe the features of Lab experiment?
*remember Describe just means “tell me the important part of this topic”
Environment:
- controlled and artificial conditions
- may or may not have specialised equipment, depends of the nature of the experiment
Variables:
- IV is manipulated to see the affect to the DV
- artificial conditions = control extraneous variables
- compared to field = see the difference
- control still has a base line measure
Control:
- set artificially = full control over the experiment
Participants:
- participant heavily influenced due to conscious behaviour of the researcher
- not accurate data
- allocated randomly
Describe the features of Field experiment?
*remember Describe just means “tell me the important part of this topic”
Environment:
- produced in natural setting
Variables:
- extraneous variable occur more often than lab experiment
- compared to lab = see the difference
- control still has a base line measure
Control:
- doesn’t have full control like lab
- uses deception to control the extraneous variable (but still difficult)
Participants:
- mostly doesn’t allocate subject randomly
- not always aware that their part of the study
- opportunity samples
List the design that can be used?
- Independent measures
- Repeated measures
- matched pairs
Describe Independent measures
- a group of participant is selected
- allocated to experimental group or control group
- complete only one of the tasks
- results of the two groups would then be compared
What are the strengths and Weaknesses of Independent measures?
Strength:
- lower rise of demand characteristics (participant more bias + researchers are bias)
- no order effects such as boredom, fatigue, practice effects
- less cost as some test can be used twice
Weaknesses:
- higher rise of participant variable (gender, age, ethnicity, mood, literal status etc)
- more participants are needed
Describe Repeated measures
- one group of participant is chosen
2. they take part in both conditions (experimental and control conditions)
What are the strengths and Weaknesses of Repeated measures?
Strength:
- no participant variable (gender, age, ethnicity, mood, literal status etc)
- fewer participant are needed
- both are in experimental and control groups
Weaknesses:
- risk of demand characteristics (participant more bias + researchers are bias)
- risk of order effects (boredom, fatigue, practice effects)
- 2 test required could become an extraneous variable
Describe Matched pairs
- tested first
- scores are compared
- each participant is matched with someone who scored similar to them on the test
- one of the matched pair is put into experimental conditions and the other in control conditions
- completed only one of the task
What are the strengths and Weaknesses of Matched pairs?
Strength:
- participants variables reduced (gender, age, ethnicity, mood, literal status etc)
- no order effects (boredom, fatigue, practice effects)
- less risk of demand characteristics (participant more bias + researchers are bias)
Weaknesses:
- participant can never be completely matched
- time consuming
- expensive
- more participant required
What are the different Sampling techniques?
- volunteer
- Stratified
- Random and Systematic
- Opportunity
Describe volunteer sampling and give an example to carry it out
it only consist of volunteer when asked or in response to an advert (sensitive topics mostly consist of volunteers)
Example - Milgram (1963) tested obedience by how many participant are willing to become shocked + other basic procedures
What are the weaknesses and strengths of Self-selecting/ volunteer sampling
Strengths:
- quick and easy to do
- reaches a wide range of participants
- its ethical
Weaknesses:
- can have demand characteristics = not representative of the target population
