Research issues.

Question 1

What is an extraneous variable?

Answer 1

Additional, unwanted, nuisance variables may affect the dependent variable if not controlled.

Question 2

What is a confounding variable?

Answer 2

A kind of extraneous variable but the key feature is that a confounding variable varies systematically with the IV.

Question 3

Define 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 a research situation.

Question 4

Problem with extraneous variables.

Answer 4

Participant behaviour is no longer natural.

Question 5

What are investigator effects.

Answer 5

Any effect of the investigator’s behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome. This may include everything from the design of the study to the selection of, and interaction with, participants during the research process.

Question 6

What is randomisation?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is standardisation?

Answer 7

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