Research Design

Question 1

Research Design

Answer 1

Plan and Structure of investigation, conceived so as to obtain answers to research questions.

Question 2

Purpose of research design

Answer 2

• Provide Answers to research questions
• Control Variance
• Enable researchers to answer research questions as validly, objectively, accurately and economically as possible.

Question 3

Types of variables that may produce confounding effects with the effect of experimental stimuli

Answer 3

1) History: specific events occurring between the first and second measurement in addition to the
experimental variable.
2) Maturation: respondents being affected by time such as growing older, hungrier, tired etc.
3) Testing: the effects of taking a test upon the scores of a second testing.
4) Instrumentation: changes in calibration of a measuring instrument or changes in observers or
scorers used may produce changes in the obtained measurements.
5) Statistical Regression: groups have been selected on the basis of their extreme scores.
6) Biases resulting in differential selection of respondents for the comparison group.
7) Experimental Mortality: differential loss of respondents from the comparison groups.
8) Selection-Maturation interaction: certain of the multiple-group quasi-experimental designs, such
as Design 10, is confounded with, i.e., might be mistaken for, the effect of the experimental
variable.
9) Reactive or Interaction effect of testing: Pretest might change respondent’s sensitivity to
experimental variable.
10) Interaction effects of selection biases and the experimental variable.
11) Reactive effects of experimental arrangements: effects that preclude generalization to
nonexperimental settings.
12) Multiple-treatment interference: multiple treatments are applied to the same respondents

Question 4

Advantages of Observational Research

Answer 4

• Providing Natural Proof: does it exist in the natural world?
• Determining the Relevance of the Phenomenon: Does it matter?
• Identifying the complexity of the construct: how do key variables interact with each other?

Question 5

Advantages of Manipulation-Based Research

Answer 5

• Identifying Causal Relations: rule out alternative explanations; why does it happen?
• Enhancing generalizability of psychological principles - Observational research data is noisy and sample is likely biased and has qualities that correlate with the key variables of interest.
• Specifying boundary conditions

Question 6

Advantages of Full-Cycle Research

Answer 6

• Specifying Comprehensive Theoretical Models
• Enabling Consideration of both Actual and Ideal Conditions
• Enabling Understanding of complex phenomena
• Assessing Reciprocal Influence between people and situations.
• Injecting Flexibility into a Research Program
• Encouraging Interdisciplinary Integration

Question 7

What does context do?

Answer 7

Johns, G. (2006)

Context Restricts Range 
Context Affects Base Rates
Context changes causal direction
Context Reverses Signs
Context prompts curvilinear effects
Context tips precarious relationships
Context Threatens Validity