research issues

Question 1

Extraneous variables

Answer 1

any variable other than the independent variable that may affect the dependent variable if not controlled.

Question 2

Confounding variables

Answer 2

a kind of EV but the key feature is that a confounding variable varies systematically with the IV. Therefore we can’t tell if any change in the DV is due to the IV or the confounding variable.

Question 3

Demand characteristics

Answer 3

any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of an investigation. This may lead to a participant changing their behaviour within the research situation.

Question 4

Investigator effects

Answer 4

Any effect of the investigators behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome.

Question 5

Randomisation

Answer 5

The use of chance methods to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of experimental conditions

Question 6

Standardisation

Answer 6

Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study

Question 7

3 main types of variables

Answer 7

Participant variables
Situational variables
Investigator variables

Question 8

Coolican (2006) discovered that …

Answer 8

research issues can include expectancy effects and unconscious cues. Might also refer to the actions of the researcher:
- Selection of participants
- Materials
- instructions

Question 9

Placebo Condition

Answer 9

Some people are secretly left out, to see if their behaviour changes due to the researcher.

Question 10

Single blind

Answer 10

Participants don’t know what the study is about.

Question 11

Double blind

Answer 11

The participants don’t know what the study is about and neither does the investigator