Research Methods Flashcards
experiment
an investigation that allows researchers to look for causal relationship
Independent variable
The factor under investigation in an experiment that is manipulated to create two or more conditions(levels) and is expected to create changes in the DV
dependent variable
The factor that is measured and is expected to change under the influence of the IV
Causal relationship
the way one variable (iv) is responsible for the effect on another (DV)
uncontrolled variables
a variable that acts randomly, affecting the dv and making results difficult to interpret
experimental conditions
One or more situations in an experiment that represent different levels of iv
Control condition
A level of iv from which the iv itself is absent
Experimental design
The way in which participants are allocated to levels of iv
Independent measure design
Different group of participants are used for each level of IV
demand characteristics
features of the experiment that give away the aims causing the participants to try and act according to what they think is supposed to happen
Random allocation and its use
Allocating participants randomly such that each person has an equal chance of being in any condition.
It is used to reduce the effect of confounding variables such as individual differences.
confounding variable
an uncontrolled variable that acts systematically on one level of the iv, hiding or exaggerating the differences thus confusing the results.
Repeated measure design
Each participant performs in every level of iv
Participant variables
individual differences between participants( age, intelligence, personality) that could affect the results of the study
Order effect
when participants’ responses in the various conditions are affected by the order of conditions to which they were exposed
