Research methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Lab experiment

A
  • Conducted in an artificial environment where all other extraneous variables that could affect the dependent variable are controlled.
  • Designed with one clear independent variable and dependent variable which are operationalised (measurable).
  • Participants can be randomly allocated into the conditions.
  • Increases internal validity.
  • Decreases ecological validity -> due to the artificiality of the situation.
  • Control over variables allows for causality to be established.
  • Reliability is high due to the use of standardised procedures -> allows for replication.
  • Participants may exhibit demand characteristics -> questions the validity of results.
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2
Q

Quasi experiment

A
  • Different from lab experiments as the allocation of participants is not conducted randomly
  • Participants are grouped based on their characteristics of interest (e.g. gender, ethnicity)
  • Researchers are measuring pre-existing differences in one variable. Allows researchers to conduct experiments on pre-existing groups (e.g. gender differences in anxiety)
  • Researchers cannot manipulate the IV as it already exists (e.g. gender)
    E.G. 2 groups attempt to memorise a list of words. One group of people have depression. One group of people don’t. The participants cannot be randomly allocated as the variable that we want to study is depression.
  • IV is not manipulated by researchers -> causality cannot be established because we cannot be sure of the equivalence of comparison groups at the start of a study (becomes correlational)
  • Pre-existing groups may be presented with unexpected confounding variables (a variable that has not been controlled)
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3
Q

Field experiment

A
  • Take place in a real-life setting (for the participants) like a natural setting
  • Participants are NOT randomly allocated into conditions
  • The Independent variable is manipulated
  • Not all extraneous variables can be controlled (e.g. weather) so it is difficult to establish causality
  • Ecological validity is increased
  • Decreases internal validity
  • Participants are unlikely to suffer from demand characteristics
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4
Q

Natural experiment

A
  • Conducted in participants’ natural environment
  • Researchers do not manipulate any variables
  • Participants are not randomly allocated to groups
  • The independent variable is naturally occurring
  • Researchers just measure the impact of DV
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