Research Methods 🌷 Flashcards
Extraneous variables
Any factor that is not the independant variable that can affect the experiments dependant variables
IV —> DV
^ EV
Confounding variables
An extraneous variable that can’t be controlled
i.e age/IQ level
Demand characteristics
Hints/cues that may give away the aim of the study
Participants may will look for clues in the experimental situation, which would change their behaviours
Investigator effects
When the investigator gives bias to the participants about the experiments aim
Independent variables
Parts of the research situation that is manipulated (changed) by the researcher
Dependant variables
The variable that is measured and is caused by the independent variable
Operationalised
To be precise and clear about what is being manipulated or measured. (To make an experiment testable and repeatable)
Null hypothesis
No effect
What is a hypothesis
A testable, operationalised statement
What are demand characteristics
When the experiment hints the aim to the participants, altering their behaviour
Standardisation
Ensuring all participants have the same experience
What are Independant groups
(experimental design)
Participants in each condition of the experiment are different
What are repeated measures
(Experimental designs)
All participants take part in the same condition
What are matched pairs
(Experimental design)
Similar participants paired on variables- allocated to condition A or B
Lab experiments
IV is manipulated and controlled by setting
Field experiments
IV is manipulated in a natural setting
Natural experiments
IV changes naturally. DV/setting may be natural or in a lab
Quasi-experiments
IV based on an existing difference, effect on DV is recorded
Evaluation for Lab experiments
+ and -
+
High internal validity
(cause and effect shown, can replicate experiment)
-
Low external validity, real world
(generalisability)
Generalisability
How well the experiments are applied to real life
What are the four Ethical issues
IDPP
Informed consent
Deception
Protection from harm
Privacy and confidentiality
List the four types of observation
Naturalistic
Controlled
Covert and overt
Participant and non participant
Reliability
Consistency
