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psychology > research methods 1 - the experimental method > Flashcards

research methods 1 - the experimental method Flashcards

pages 13-41

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1
Q

What is an experiment?

A

The manipulation of variables to establish cause-and-effect.

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2
Q

What is standardisation?

A

This means that procedures, materials and instructions within a study are kept the same for ALL participants (except for the independent variable).

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3
Q

What is an aim?

A

A broad statement based on what is going to be investigated in the study.

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4
Q

What is a hypothesis?

A

A precise, testable statement of what the researcher predicts will be the outcome of the study.

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5
Q

What is an independent variable?

A

A variable that is manipulated by a researcher to investigate whether it consequently brings change in another variable.

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6
Q

What is a dependant variable?

A

What is measured and is “dependent” on the independent variable.

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7
Q

What is an alternative (experimental) hypothesis?

A

The alternative hypothesis is a prediction of what the researcher thinks will happen to the DV when the IV changes.

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8
Q

What is a Null Hypothesis?

A

The null hypothesis states that the IV will have no effect on the DV and any observed differences will be due to chance.

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9
Q

Define: Operationalised

A

phrasing variables as specific as possible

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10
Q

What are the two types of experimental hypothesis?

A

Non-Directional: predicts that there will be a difference between two conditions without stating the direction.

Directional: states the direction of the predicted difference between two conditions or two groups of participants

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11
Q

What is an extraneous variable?

A

Variables which must be eliminated or controlled otherwise they may affect the DV and damage the validity of results.

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12
Q

2 types of extraneous variable:

A

Participant Variable (Internal): variables to do with participants eg: age, ethnicity, intelligence etc

Situational Variable(external): variables to do with the situation which might affect the behaviour of participants in an experiment eg: time of day, lighting temperature, instructions etc.

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13
Q

How can extraneous variables be controlled?

A

Standardised procedures and standardised instructions

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14
Q

What is a confounding variable?

A

an extraneous variable which hasn’t been controlled by standardised procedures or standardised instructions.

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15
Q

What are demand characteristics?

A

Demand characteristics can affect the DV and therefore are an example of an extraneous variable.

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16
Q

What are the two different types of demand characteristics?

A
  • If the participant pleases the experiment because they know they are in an experiment.
  • If the participant deliberately behaves in a way which spoils the experiment.
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17
Q

How can demand characteristics be controlled?

A
  • Deception: this is where the participants aren’t told the research aim
  • Single blind method
18
Q

What is the investigator effect?

A

the investigator may unknowingly suggest to the participants how they are expected to behave

19
Q

How can investigator effects be controlled?

A

Double blind method:

20
Q

What is internal reliability?

A
  • refers to the extent the experiment was conducted consistently
  • checked if there are standardised procedures put in place or if the study is replicable
21
Q

What is external reliability?

A
  • refers to the extent which the study is consistent over time
  • test-retest( pts are tested once then the same pts at a later date)
22
Q

What is internal validity?

A
  • whether or not we can say for certain that the IV has caused the effect seen in the DV
23
Q

What is external validity?

A
  • the extent to which results can be generalised to
  • temporal validity, ecological validity(settings) and population validity are all different types
24
Q

what are 5 features of a lab experiment?

A
  • conducted in a fully controlled environment
  • experimenter deliberately changes the independent variable
  • measures the dependant variable in quantitative data
  • experimenter controls the extraneous variables(participants)
  • procedures and instructions are standardised
25
Q

what are 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of a lab experiment?

A

Strengths:
- cause and effect can be established due to high control
- reliability can be checked as experiments can be replicated using standardised procedures

Weaknesses:
- they are artificial and lack ecological validity
- more prone to bias from demand characteristics

26
Q

what are 4 features of a field experiment?

A
  • conducted in a more natural environment
  • experimenter deliberately changes the independent variable
  • experimenter measures the dependant variable
  • experimenter controls SOME of the extraneous variables
27
Q

what are 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of a field experiment?

A

Strengths:
- more realistic than lab experiments, greater ecological validity
- less bias from demand characteristics

Weaknesses:
- less control means its harder to establish cause and effect
- harder to check reliability as its harder to replicate because of less standardised procedures that can be put into place

28
Q

what are 3 features of quasi and natural experiments?

A
  • no control over the independent variable
  • the dependent variable is measured
  • no control over extraneous variables
29
Q

what is a quasi experiment?

A

where the independent variable is naturally occurring INTERNAL differences eg age or gender

30
Q

what is a natural experiment?

A

investigates naturally occuring external situations ( eg bank robbery) where independent variable can’t be directly manipulated but occurs naturally.

31
Q

what are 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of natural/quasi experiments?

A

Strengths:
- most realistic, greatest ecological validity
- least likely to suffer bias from demand characteristics

Weaknesses:
- least control means its hardest to establish cause and effect
- most difficult to check reliability

32
Q

what is the independent measures experimental design?

A

involves using different people in each condition of the IV

33
Q

evaluate independent measures design

A

strengths:
- less demand characteristics
- avoids practice and order side effects

weaknesses:
- you need lots of participants and lots of time and resources
- may be some individual differences ( some in one group may be better than others)

34
Q

what is the repeated measures design

A

involves using the same people in each condition of the IV

35
Q

evaluate the repeated measures design

A

strengths:
- less participants are needed
- results won’t be contaminated by individual differences

weaknesses:
- demand characteristics may change the behaviour
- order and practice effects will be present

36
Q

what is the matched pairs design

A

participants are matched with another who is similar in a relevant variable. each person from a pair goes in a different condition.

37
Q

evaluate the matched pairs design

A

strengths:
- completely avoids practice and order as participants won’t get tired or bored
- results won’t be contaminated by individual differences

weaknesses:
- needs lots of participants and time and resources
- participants are never perfectly matched

38
Q

what is the double blind method?

A
  • neither the researcher nor the participants know what the hypothesis is about or which condition they’re in.
  • a researcher assistant is hired to conduct the investigation and collect data
39
Q

what is the single blind method?

A

this is where the participants aren’t told the condition they’re in.

40
Q

how are practice and order effects reduced

A

counterbalancing

41
Q

what is counterbalancing

A

where the participants are split into two and perform the tasks in a different order. it means that each condition is tested first and second in equal amounts

psychology (8 decks)

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