research methods

Question 1

lab experiment /true experiment

Answer 1

• In a “lab”
  
  • Random allocation to condition (not random sampling, but close)
  • Manipulate the IV
  • Standardized - easy to replicate
  • High internal validity
  • Extraneous variables controlled
  • Low ecological validity (artificial)

Question 2

field experiment:

Answer 2

• Out in the field
  
  • High ecological validity
  • Lack of control - lower internal validity
  • Manipulation of IV
  • Participants allocated to different conditions, but often difficult to attain a random allocation

Question 3

quasi experiment:

Answer 3

• Do not include random assignment to experimental conditions
  
  • Participants are group based on pre-existing characteristics

Question 4

natural experiment

Answer 4

• Involve pre-existing IV that are manipulated naturally, not by the researcher
  ○ Before and after Tv was introduced to regular Canada, before and after smoking ban in bars in Norway
  ○ Or between groups, schools which changed their starting time vs. Those who did not.

Question 5

repeated measures (1 strength, 1 limitation)

Answer 5

• One sample receives each condition of an experiment

    - STRENGTH: Participant variables are controlled, fewer participants
    - LIMITATION: order effects (practice effect), can be fixed by counter balancing, demand characteristics, confounding variable

Question 6

independent samples

Answer 6

• The sample is randomly allocated to one condition:
  - Half of the participants in one room (quiet)
  - The other group in a room with music
  - STRENGTH: order effects are controlled, less likely with demand charachteristics, same material for both groups
  - LIMITATION: participant variability more likely, more participants

Question 7

matched pair designs

Answer 7

• Participants are not randomly allocated to conditions. Instead, they are usually pre-tested with regard to the variable
  - Pre-test to match participants on their level of memory skills, divide them and then do the experiment.
  - STRENGTH: full range of abilities, lessen chances of participant variability
  - LIMITATION: difficult to find appropriate matches,

Question 8

Research designs: (3 types)

Answer 8

repeated measures
independent sample design
matched pairs designs

Question 9

The IV is:

Answer 9

controlled by the researcher, independent variable

Question 10

The DV is:

Answer 10

the dependent variable, something uncontrollable (like reactions)

Question 11

to Operationalise

Answer 11

provides a clear and objective definition of variables

Question 12

sampling techniques:

Answer 12

ways to gather participants for an experiment (Ex: snowball sampling)

Question 13

Opportunity sampling

Answer 13

Participants are selected based on naturally occurring groups.

Question 14

random sampling

Answer 14

Methods of selecting participants for a study where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. This can be done with a random number generator or by pulling names out of a hat.

Question 15

self- selected sampling

Answer 15

Participants volunteer - usually in response to an advertisement in the local community or over the Internet.

Question 16

snowball sampling

Answer 16

Participants recruit other participants for a study.

Question 17

stratified sampling

Answer 17

The sample matches the make-up of the population. Participants from within various subgroups of the population are randomly selected.

Question 18

the 6 ethics rules in studies:

Answer 18

informed consent, the use of deception, right to withdraw, no undue stress or harm to the participant, participant data must be anonymized, debriefing

Question 19

informed consent

Answer 19

The participants knows and is informed about what is happening under the study if the use of deception is not used.

Question 20

the use of deception

Answer 20

not informing the participant fully, but preferably avoid using deception, important with debriefing

Question 21

right to withdraw

Answer 21

participants always have the right to withdraw or quit the experiments.

Question 22

no undue stress or harm to the participant

Answer 22

the participants should leave the study in the same state that they entered, not physical or psychologically harmed.

Question 23

participant data must be anonymised:

Answer 23

personal information about the participants should not be published.

Question 24

debriefing

Answer 24

at the end of the study the participants needs to be briefed about what the goal was, and how their reactions/actions influenced the results of the study.

Question 25

Sampling bias:

Answer 25

a sample is collected in a way that some members of the intended population have a higher or lower chance of being chosen

Question 26

Internal Validity

Answer 26

the extent to chich you can be sure that the cause-and-effect relationship established in the study cannot be explained by other factors (sampling bias)

Question 27

external validity:

Answer 27

can the results of a study be applied outside of the context of the study (situations, people, time) ○ Population validity
○ Ecological validity

Question 28

Population validity: (external validity)

Answer 28

if the results of a study can be applied to other people, and represent the population AS A WHOLE

Question 29

Ecological validity: (external validity)

Answer 29

a study given variables and conclusions are sufficiently relevant to real life situation

Question 30

construct validity

Answer 30

Generalisation from the particular operationalized measure of a construct to the construct itself

Question 31

demand characteristics

Answer 31

participants acting in a certain or unnormal way during experiments to mess up the results (unknowingly or intentionally)

Question 32

Expectancy effect: (demand characteristics)

Answer 32

The participant attempts to discern the experimenter’s hypotheses with the goal of “helping” the researcher. This may result in acting in a certain way or giving the “right answer.”

Question 33

Screw you effect: (demand characteristics)

Answer 33

The participant attempts to discern the experimenter’s hypotheses, but only in order to destroy the credibility of the study.

Question 34

Social desirability effect: (demand characteristics)

Answer 34

This is when the participant answers in a way that makes him/her look good to the researcher. This is done to avoid embarrassment or judgment.

Question 35

Reactivity: (demand characteristics)

Answer 35

Reactivity is a psychological phenomenon that happens when someone changes the way they behave because they know they’re being observed.

Question 36

researcher bias can lead to confirmation bias, what is that?

Answer 36

the tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with one’s existing beliefs

Question 37

order effects, the practice effect:

Answer 37

practice effect: an improvement in performance on a task due to repetition, for example, because of familiarity with the task

Question 38

order effect, fatigue effect:

Answer 38

fatigue effect: a decrease in performance of a task due to repetition, for example, because of boredom or tiredness.

Question 39

order effect, interference effect:

Answer 39

Interference is a memory phenomenon in which some memories interfere with the retrieval of other memories. Essentially, interference occurs when some information makes it difficult to recall similar material.