Research methods Flashcards
Define aim
An aim outlines the purpose of the experiment, and what it intends to investigate
Define hypothesis
A hypothesis predicts the outcome of the experiment, in terms of how the independent variable will affect the dependent variable
Define independent variable
The independent variable is the thing that is changed by the experimenter to see what effect this has on the dependent variable.
Define dependent variable
The dependent variable is the thing that is measured
Describe & evaluate repeated measures design
all participants do both variations of the experiment
Limitations
- Order effect
- Demand characteristics
Describe & evaluate independent group design
Participants are separated and each group does one variation on the task
Limitations
- participant variables
- needs more participants
Describe & evaluate matched pairs design
participants separated into groups but with similar relevant characteristics
Limitations
- Time consuming
- does not completely remove participant variables
What is a natural experiment
A research method in which the experimenter cannot directly manipulate the IV for ethical or practical reasons
What is a Quasi experiment
A research method in which the IV is a characteristic
