Research Issues

Question 1

What is Standardisation?

Answer 1

• Making sure that all pps are subject to the same instructions and experience

Question 2

What is Randomisation?

Answer 2

• The use of chance to reduce the effects of the researcher’s unconscious biases when designing an investigation

Question 3

What are Investigator Effects?

Answer 3

• Unwanted influence of the investigator on the research outcome

Question 4

What are Extraneous Variables?

Answer 4

• ‘Nuisance’ variables that do not vary systematically with the IV and can often be controlled before the experiment begins

Question 5

What are Demand Characteristics?

Answer 5

• Pps interpret cues from the experimenter and research situation, they may change their behaviour as a result

Question 6

What are Confounding Variables?

Answer 6

• Variables that do vary systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure what caused the change in the DV