Research methods 1

Question 1

What is an independent variable?

Answer 1

The variable that the researcher has changed/manipulate

Question 2

what is the dependent variable?

Answer 2

The variable that is measured (affected by the IV)

Question 3

What is a control group?

Answer 3

A group in an experiment that resembles the participants but is not subjected to a factor under the study

Question 4

why is a control group used?

Answer 4

so the researcher can establish if the IV is causing the change in behaviour or if it’s other factors

Question 5

What is an operationalised variable?

Answer 5

A variable that has been defined in a way that can be measured

Question 6

What is an extraneous variable?

Answer 6

A variable other than the IV that could affect the DV if not controlled

Question 7

What is a confounding variable?

Answer 7

Uncontrolled extraneous variables that may affect the DV

Question 8

What is a situational variable?

Answer 8

Aspects of the participants environment/task that may affect their behaviour in the study

Question 9

how can you control situational variable?

Answer 9

By having standardised experimental procedures and test conditions

Question 10

What is a participant variable?

Answer 10

characteristics of the individual e.g. age sex intelligence that may influence the outcome of a study

These are difficult to control

Question 11

What are demand characteristics?

Answer 11

cues in the environment that a participant can use to work out the aim of a study

This will lead to social desirability effects

Question 12

how can you control demand characteristics?

Answer 12

By using different participants in each condition or counterbalancing

do not release too much info about the aim/procedure and instructions and consent form

Question 13

What are investigator effects?

Answer 13

unintentional influence of the researchers behaviour on participants/data

such as: body language, personality, and gender

Question 14

How can you control investigate effects?

Answer 14

Using more than one researcher or Interrater reliability

Question 15

How can you minimise investigator effects in an interview?

Answer 15

• standardised script for interviewers
• Trained interviewers
• Same gender interviewers for ppts

Question 16

What is standardisation?

Answer 16

keeping procedures within an investigation the same for all participants

They should be subject to the same environment/experience

Question 17

What is randomisation?

Answer 17

Using chance to minimise the research as influence on the design/procedure

Question 18

What are the benefits of randomisation?

Answer 18

eliminate investigator effects bc Investigator that has no control

Question 19

What are the purpose of standardised instructions?

Answer 19

Explain the procedure of the study and check participants understand the instructions

Question 20

What must you include in standardised instructions?

Answer 20

what the participants will be expected to do
Ask them if they understand
Ask if they have any questions

Question 21

What is a lab experiment?

Answer 21

Carried out in a controlled environment

Question 22

What are strengths of lab experiments?

Answer 22

Control of extraneous variables

Replicability

High control

Question 23

What are limitations of lab studies?

Answer 23

demand characteristics and investigator affects or more likely to affect results

Low ecological ability-carried in a lab and is not like real life

Question 24

What is a Field experiment?

Answer 24

carried out in a real world setting experimenter manipulates the IV

Question 25

what are the strengths of a field experiment?

Answer 25

High ecological validity - in a real world setting

Reduction of demand characteristics - ppts are unaware away

Question 26

what are limitations of field experiments?

Answer 26

Low control over extraneous variables

Difficult to replicate

Unethical

Question 27

what is a natual experiment?

Answer 27

IV and DV occur naturally and the researcher simply measure the DV