Quantitative research methods

Question 1

LAB EXPERIMENT

Answer 1

an experiment done under highly controlled conditions.

Question 2

FIELD EXPERIMENT

Answer 2

An experiment done in a natural setting. There is less control over variables.

Question 3

TRUE EXPERIMENT

Answer 3

An IV is manipulated and a DV is measured under controlled conditions. Participants are randomly allocated to conditions.

Question 4

QUASI EXPERIMENT

Answer 4

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

Question 5

characteristics of an experiment

Answer 5

use of controls
IV and DV operationalised
highly standardised
randomly allocating participants

Question 6

explain use of controls of an experiment

Answer 6

when the researcher manipulates the independent variable, all other possible variables stay the same

the procedure must be exactly the same in both groups

Question 7

what does IV and DV being operationalised mean

Answer 7

the IV and DV need to be written in such a way that it is clear what is being measured

Question 8

explain how an experiment can be highly standardised

Answer 8

This means that they have procedures that are written in enough detail that they can be easily replicated by another researcher

Question 9

explain randomly allocating participants

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

advantage of lab experiment

Answer 10

it allows the researcher to control for extraneous variables

Question 11

field experiments

Answer 11

When we do studies outside of the laboratory, in the “real world”, this is called a field experiment

Question 12

key limitations of field experiment

Answer 12

they cannot control for extraneous variables and they cannot be easily replicated

Question 13

natural experiments

Answer 13

a natural experiment usually refers to an independent variable that is environmental in nature and outside of the control of the researcher

Question 14

examples of extraneous variables

Answer 14

demand characteristics
researcher bias
participant variability
artificiality

Question 15

Demand characteristics

Answer 15

expectancy effect
screw you effect
social desirability effect

Question 16

expectancy effect

Answer 16

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.”

Question 17

screw you effect

Answer 17

the participant attempts to discern the experimenter’s hypotheses, but only in order to destroy the credibility of the study.

Question 18

social desirability effect

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

researcher bias

Answer 19

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

Question 20

what can prevent researcher bias

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Participant variability

Answer 21

Participant variability is a limitation of a study when the characteristics of the sample affect the dependent variable

Question 22

how to prevent participant variability

Answer 22

This can be controlled by selecting a random sample and randomly allocating the participants to the treatment and control groups.

Question 23

what is artificiality

Answer 23

This is when the situation created is so unlikely to occur that one has to wonder if there is any validity in the findings.

Question 24

Positive correlation

Answer 24

A positive correlation is when both variables are affected in the same way. As x increases, y increases

Question 25

Negative correlation

Answer 25

A negative correlation means that as one variable increases, the other decreases.

Question 26

Bidirectional ambiguity

Answer 26

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.