Research issues

Question 1

What is an extraneous variable ?

Answer 1

any other variable than the IV that may affect the DV if not controlled

Question 2

What are the 4 different types of extraneous variables ?

Answer 2

• situational variables
• participant
• experimenter effects
• demand characteristics

Question 3

What are situational variables ?

Answer 3

aspect of the environment that may affect the participants behaviour

Question 4

What is an example of situational variables ?

Answer 4

• Milgram’s study: proximity, location and uniform

Question 5

What are participant variables ?

Answer 5

The way in which each participant varies from the other and how this would affect the results

Question 6

What is an example of a participant variable ?

Answer 6

• their disposition may be more introverted or extroverted

Question 7

What is an experimenter effect variable ?

Answer 7

Anything the investigator does that has an impact on the participants performance other than what was intended

Question 8

What is an example of an experimenter variable ?

Answer 8

• changing the uniform

Question 9

What are demand characteristic variables ?

Answer 9

Looking for cues to tell them how they should behave in an experiment
This can result in the please you or screw you effect

Question 10

What is a confounding variable ?

Answer 10

• An EV variable that changes systematically with the IV
• if an experimenter does included Cv’s then the experimenter cant be sure whether the results are the product of the CV or the IV
• can impact the internal validity - accuracy of the research

Question 11

What are the ways to control EV’s ?

Answer 11

• randomisation
• standardisation
• single blind
• double blind

Question 12

What is randomisation ?

Answer 12

• approach to minimise the effect of EV’s
• use of chance to control the effects of bias
• used when designing materials and deciding conditions
  e.g. order of participants

Question 13

What is standardisation ?

Answer 13

• using the exact same procedure and instructions for all participants in a study
• all participants should have the same environment, information and experience

Question 14

What is single blind ?

Answer 14

• controls demand characteristics, information about the experiment isn’t disclosed to participants
• the participant would know the aim or if they are part of the experimental or control group

Question 15

What is double blind ?

Answer 15

• to control demand characteristics, information about the experiment wont be disclosed to either the participants on those carrying out the research
• they wont know about the aims or who is part of the experimental or control group