Methods Evaluation

Question 0

Give 3 strengths and weaknesses of lab experiments

Answer 0

Strengths:

• high reliability
• cause and effect
• practical

Weaknesses:

• low ecological validity
• demand characteristics
• experimenter effects

Question 1

What is it called when a pp behaves in a way in which they think the researcher wants them to?

Answer 1

Demand characteristics

Question 3

If a researcher refers to the subtle cues, expectations…that may influence the way a pp responds this is called

Answer 3

Experimenter/investigator effects

Question 4

Objectivity = neutral in terms of judgement.
No personal interpretation or emotion, so subject matter is tested and analysed without prejudice.

True or false?

Answer 4

True

Question 5

Give 3 strengths and weaknesses of field experiments

Answer 5

Strengths:

1. Greater ecological validity
2. Higher experimental validity
3. Fewer demand characteristics

Weaknesses:

1. Lower control
2. Low reliability
3. Lower experimental validity

Question 6

Define subjectivity

Answer 6

Refers to the extent to which research contains an individual’s perspective or personal point of view about the subject of the research

Question 8

Replication is improved through standardisation of procedures and control of variables.
If the study can be replicated with consistency of results found, what does this make it high in?

Answer 8

Reliability

Question 9

How well it measures what it set out to measure /

extent to which findings are a true reflection of the effect of the IV

Answer 9

Experimental validity

Question 10

Give 3 strengths and weaknesses of natural experiments

Answer 10

Strengths:

1. Higher ecological validity
2. Practical
3. Fewer demand characteristics

Weaknesses:

1. Lowest control
2. Difficulty establishing cause and effect
3. Low reliability

Question 11

| If the study’s findings can be applied to the outside seething to which it was collected e.g. Lab

How well the study represents a natural situation

Answer 11

Ecological validity

Question 12

Define what generalisability is

Answer 12

Extent to which findings can be applied to other situations (e.g. different backgrounds)

Question 13

Ethical issues regarding lab experiments include:

Answer 13

• Deception
• Informed consent
• Protection from harm
• Briefing and debriefing

Question 14

Ethical issues regarding field experiments include:

Answer 14

• Deception
• Protection from harm
• Briefing and debriefing

Question 15

Ethical issues regarding natural experiments include

Answer 15

Informed consent

Briefing and debriefing