research methods

Question 1

independent variable

Answer 1

a researcher manipulates the IV to determine its effect on the DV. the IV may be divided into levels, sometimes referred to as experimental conditions.

Question 2

dependent variable

Answer 2

variable that is being measured. operationalising this is defining the variable to make it measurable.

Question 3

control variable

Answer 3

a condition where the IV is not manipulated at all to provide a standard against the experimental conditions

Question 4

extraneous variables

Answer 4

any variables (other than the IV) that COULD affect the DV.

Question 5

mundane realism vs ecological validity

Answer 5

ecological validity is the extent to which a study is representative/generalised to real life. mundane realism is the degree to which an experiment is superficially similar to everyday situations.

Question 6

confounding variables

Answer 6

any variables (other than the IV) that HAVE affected the DV.

Question 7

lab experiment

Answer 7

+ high control on EV, to prevent them becoming CV
+ can establish cause and effect relationship between the IV and the DV because researcher manipulates IV
+ random allocation
+ easily replicated, study can prove to be reliable

• demand characteristics, social desirability bias
• high control means mundane realism and ecological validity are low

Question 8

field experiments

Answer 8

experiments conducted in natural settings rather than in the laboratory - the IV is still manipulated by the researcher.

+ more mundane realism and ecological validity than in a lab, because it’s in a real-world setting
+ can establish cause and effect relationship between the IV and the DV because the researcher manipulates IV
+ less chance of demand characteristics because participants might not even be aware that they are taking part in research

• less control over EV, the effect might be due to this rather than IV. not valid.
• less control over the sample
• difficult to replicate

Question 9

natural experiment

Answer 9

naturally occurring IV’s effect on the DV - measures variables that aren’t directly manipulated, so the participants already meet the conditions of the experiment rather than having one allocated to them. eg. behaviour in single sex vs mixed school

+ uses a naturally occurring IV so there is a high level of mundane realism and ecological validity.
+ useful when it is impossible or unethical to manipulate the IV/sample in a laboratory experiment or field experiment

• less control over EV
• difficult to replicate
• difficult to determine cause and effect

Question 10

quasi experiments

Answer 10

+ naturally occurring IV - a difference between people that already exists (like gender or age).
+ high control, EV minimised
+ replication is very likely + high reliability

• lack of ecological validity
• demand characteristics + invalid data