QASS_4_-_Experiments Flashcards
What is an experiment?
Research method that observes people’s reactions to certain treatments
What are treatments in an experiment?
Specific conditions given to subjects, which can include:
* Medical experiments (medication, vaccines, substances)
* Social experiments (situations, events, therapies, activities)
What is an explanatory variable?
A variable that affects another one; in experiments, it is the treatment
What is a response variable?
A variable that is affected by the explanatory variable
Identify the explanatory variable in the question: ‘Does procrastination affect academic performance?’
Procrastination
Identify the explanatory variable in the question: ‘How efficient is the RRO vaccine in preventing measles?’
RRO vaccine
Identify the explanatory variable in the question: ‘How is the prevalence of performance anxiety influenced by the length of exams?’
Length of exams
Identify the explanatory variable in the question: ‘Does wearing a helmet help preventing brain injuries?’
Wearing a helmet
What is a lurking variable?
A variable other than the explanatory variable that impacts the response variable
Identify a possible lurking variable in the question: ‘Does procrastination affect academic performance?’
Study habits
Identify a possible lurking variable in the question: ‘How efficient is the RRO vaccine in preventing measles?’
Patient health status
Identify a possible lurking variable in the question: ‘How is the prevalence of performance anxiety influenced by the length of exams?’
Student preparation
Identify a possible lurking variable in the question: ‘Does wearing a helmet help preventing brain injuries?’
Type of activity
What is a placebo?
A fake treatment
What is the placebo effect?
When a subject responds to the placebo
What is a one-track experiment design?
A single treatment is given to all subjects
What is a control group?
A group of subjects receiving a placebo during an experiment
What is an experimental group?
A group that receives a treatment during an experiment
What is a randomized comparative experiment?
Groups are compared, including a control group, and subjects are randomly assigned
What is a block design in experiments?
A design where subjects are grouped based on known similarities expected to affect the response to treatment
What does statistical significance indicate?
A big difference in outcome between the experimental group and the control group, suggesting the treatment works
What are lab experiments?
Experiments where researchers create an artificial situation and control the explanatory variable(s)
What are two advantages of lab experiments?
Good control on lurking variables and easier observation and measurement
What are two disadvantages of lab experiments?
Possible altered behaviors and low external validity
What are field experiments?
Experiments conducted in real-life settings with less control over explanatory variables
What is an example of a field experiment?
The resume experiment on labor market discrimination
What are two advantages of field experiments?
No altered behaviors and easier application of results to the real world
What is a natural experiment?
Experiments where researchers do not manipulate variables but take advantage of existing conditions
What is one type of natural experiment?
Treatment vs control, where assignment to the explanatory variable occurs due to a natural event
What is the basic principle of ‘Do no harm’ in research ethics?
Subjects should not suffer, physically or emotionally
What is informed consent?
Subjects must be informed about the study’s nature and can withdraw at any time
What does confidentiality in research ethics entail?
The identity of individual subjects is not disclosed, only summaries of data are published
What is a common practice in behavioral experiments regarding consent?
Subjects are often asked to consent based on false or vague information
What is debriefing in the context of behavioral experiments?
Subjects must be fully informed afterwards and have the right to withdraw if they disagree with the situation
