research issues A01

Question 1

what are extraneous variables?

Answer 1

• Any variable, other than the independent variable that may affect the dependant variable if it is not controlled
• they are nuisance variables that do not vary systematically with the independent variable
• they are unwanted
• e.g. age of participants, lighting in the lab.
• they make it harder to detect a result.
• they do not vary systematically with the IV

Question 2

explain what confounding variables are

Answer 2

• a kind of extraneous variable but it varies systematically with the independent variable
• therefore we can’t tell if any change in the dependant variable is due to the independent variable or confounding variable. e.g. being excited or not.

Question 3

explain what demand characteristics are

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.
• e.g. participant reactivity
• please-u effect by over performing
• deliberately underperform to sabotage the results of the study - screw-you effect
• participants behaviour is no longer natural
• it may effect the DV

Question 4

what are investigator effects?

Answer 4

• any effect of the investigator’s behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome (the DV).
• this may include anything from the design of the study to the selection of, and interaction with, participants during the research process.
• e.g. leading questions

Question 5

what is randomisation?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

explain what standardisation is

Answer 6

• using exactly the same formulised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study