PSYC*2360 Chapter 4: Tools for Building Better Designs Flashcards
Which research design involves manipulating all independent variables and randomly assigning participants to groups?
True experiments
What is a quasi-experimental design?
A research design in which the researcher can’t manipulate the independent variable or use random assignment
Are non-equivalent, posttest only designs and non-equivalent, pretest-posttest designs experimental or quasi-experimental?
Quasi experimental
What is the difference between non-equivalent group, posttest only and non-equivalent group, pretest-posttest designs?
- Posttest only: Outcome measures are administered to two or more groups without random assignment
- Pretest-posttest: Baseline measures of groups are taken before an intervention, then an outcome measure is administered
What are quasi-independent variables?
Variables treated as if they are independent variables in an experimental design, even though they can’t be manipulated
What is self-report?
Any measurement technique that directly asks participants how they think or feel
What are the two most common examples of self-report measures?
- Interviews
- Surveys/questionnaires
What are the two main advantages of self-report measures?
- Relatively cheap and easy to administer
- Receive first-hand information from the source
Social desirability, demand characteristics, and retrospective bias are the main drawbacks of which type of measure?
Self-report
What is social desirability?
The tendency for respondents to give answers that make them look good
What are demand characteristics?
Cues that potentially make the participants aware of what the researcher expects
What is retrospective bias?
The tendency to view or interpret past events inaccurately
What must researchers do to properly measure behaviour?
They must find a way to quantify it
What are the three main types of behavioural measures?
- Behavioural trace
- Behavioural observation
- Behavioural choice
What is a behavioural trace?
A behavioural measure that relies on evidence left behind by a participant who is longer present to determine if a behaviour occurred
What are the two main advantages of behavioural trace measures?
- Doesn’t require the participants’ cooperation
- Avoids issues like social desirability and demand characteristics
What is the main disadvantage of behavioural trace measures?
The interpretation of a behavioural trace’s meaning depends on the researcher to draw inferences
What do behavioural observations rely on?
Directly seeing or observing behaviour as it occurs
T or F: A drawback of behavioural observation is that it cannot go beyond what can be visually observed.
False
Which behavioural measure involves participants making a purposeful selection from several options?
Behavioural choices
What are the two main disadvantages of behavioural measures?
- They are often time-consuming, expensive, and cumbersome
- Introduce the possibility for participant reactivity and demand characteristics
What is participant reactivity?
When participants act differently or unnaturally because they know someone is watching them
T or F: Behavioural measures tend to provide findings that are more relatable to the general public.
True
What are unobtrusive measures?
Strategies that allow for observation and assessment without a participant’s awareness
What is the difference between a raw scare and a true score?
- Raw score: The actual score, comprised of a true score and error
- True score: What the raw score would be if the test were a perfect measure and was uninfluenced by extraneous factors
What are the extraneous influences that cause a raw score to deviate from the true score referred to as?
Errors
A variation from the measure’s true score due to unsystematic or chance factors that occur in a haphazard, disorganized, or arbitrary way is known as what?
Random error
T or F: It is possible to remove random error from a study.
False