Quantitative research methods Flashcards
LAB EXPERIMENT
an experiment done under highly controlled conditions.
FIELD EXPERIMENT
An experiment done in a natural setting. There is less control over variables.
TRUE EXPERIMENT
An IV is manipulated and a DV is measured under controlled conditions. Participants are randomly allocated to conditions.
QUASI EXPERIMENT
Like the “experiment” by Derren Brown - no IV is manipulated and participants are not randomly allocated to conditions. Instead, it is their traits that set them apart - a fish seller, a hot dog vendor, and a jeweller
characteristics of an experiment
use of controls
IV and DV operationalised
highly standardised
randomly allocating participants
explain use of controls of an experiment
when the researcher manipulates the independent variable, all other possible variables stay the same
the procedure must be exactly the same in both groups
what does IV and DV being operationalised mean
the IV and DV need to be written in such a way that it is clear what is being measured
explain how an experiment can be highly standardised
This means that they have procedures that are written in enough detail that they can be easily replicated by another researcher
explain randomly allocating participants
With random allocation, participants have the same chance of being assigned to the experimental or the control condition. This lessens the potential for the characteristics of the individuals to influence the results.
advantage of lab experiment
it allows the researcher to control for extraneous variables
field experiments
When we do studies outside of the laboratory, in the “real world”, this is called a field experiment
key limitations of field experiment
they cannot control for extraneous variables and they cannot be easily replicated
natural experiments
a natural experiment usually refers to an independent variable that is environmental in nature and outside of the control of the researcher
examples of extraneous variables
demand characteristics
researcher bias
participant variability
artificiality
Demand characteristics
expectancy effect
screw you effect
social desirability effect
expectancy effect
the participant attempts to discern the experimenter’s hypotheses with the goal of “helping” the researcher. This may result in acting in a certain way or giving the “right answer.”
screw you effect
the participant attempts to discern the experimenter’s hypotheses, but only in order to destroy the credibility of the study.
social desirability effect
This is when the participant answers in a way that makes him/her look good to the researcher. This is done to avoid embarrassment or judgment.
researcher bias
Researcher bias is when the experimenter sees what he or she is looking for. In other words, the expectations of the researcher consciously or unconsciously affect the findings of the study
what can prevent researcher bias
Using a double-blind control can help to avoid this.
In this design, not only do the participants not know whether they are in the experimental or control group, but the person carrying out the experiment does not know the aim of the study, nor which group is the treatment and which one is the control group.
Participant variability
Participant variability is a limitation of a study when the characteristics of the sample affect the dependent variable
how to prevent participant variability
This can be controlled by selecting a random sample and randomly allocating the participants to the treatment and control groups.
what is artificiality
This is when the situation created is so unlikely to occur that one has to wonder if there is any validity in the findings.
Positive correlation
A positive correlation is when both variables are affected in the same way. As x increases, y increases
Negative correlation
A negative correlation means that as one variable increases, the other decreases.
Bidirectional ambiguity
Bidirectional ambiguity is seen in correlational research. Since no independent variable is manipulated, it is impossible to know if x causes y, y causes x, if they interact to cause behavior, or whether it is just coincidental and the results are actually due to a third variable.
