Research methods Flashcards
What is an Independant Variable?
Some event that is directly manipulated by experimenter in order to test its effect on the DV.
What is a Dependant Variable?
A measurable outcome of the action of the independent variable in an experiment.
What is an extraneous Variable?
Variables which may effect the dependant variable but do not act as an independent variable. Nuisance variables that muddy the waters and make it more difficult to detect a significant effect.
What is Mundane realism?
How an experiment mirrors the real world. ‘Mundane’ means ‘of the real world’ - commonplace, ordinary.
What does Control mean?
Refers to the extent which any variable is held constant or regulated by a researcher.
What is External validity?
The degree to which a research finding can be generalised: to other settings (ecological validity); other people (population validity); over time (temporal/historical validity).
What is internal validity?
The degree which an observed effect was due to the experimental manipulation rather than other factors such as confounding/extraneous variables.
What does Validity mean?
Refers to whether an observed effect is a genuine one.
What is a confounding variable?
A variable under study that is not the IV but which varies systematically with the IV.
What does confound mean?
To cause confusion.
What is a laboratory experiment?
An experiment conducted in a special enviroment where variable can be carefully controlled.
What is a field experiment?
An experiment conducted in a more natural enviroment i.e. in ‘the field’.
What are strengths of Laboratory experiements?
- Usually high in internal validty because extraneous variables can be controlled.
What are limitations of Laboratory experiements?
- Participants usually are aware that their behaviour is being studied. Leading to particpants searching for cues about the aims of the experiments and affect behaviour reducing realness.
- The IV and DV may be operationalised in such a way that it doesn’t represent everyday experiences, i.e low in mundance realism.
- Low ecological validty can also be explained in terms of setting. Participants may feel uncomfortable in an unknown and artifical enviroment. Causes change in usual behaviour.
- Materials may lack mundane realism.
What are strengths of Field experiments?
- Participants are not likely to be aware that their behvaiour is being studied
- A field experiment takes places in a more natural setting (e.g a classroom), particpants are more relaxed.
What are limitations of Field experiments?
- It is more difficult to control extraneous variables.
- There is a major ethical issue
What is a Natural Experiment?
An experiment conducted when it is not possible, for ethical or practical reasons, to deliberately manipulate an IV.
What are the strengths of Natural experiments?
- Allows research where IV can’t be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons.
- Enables researchers to study ‘real’ problems such as the effect of a disaster on health (increased mundane realism and ecological validty).
What are limitations of Natural experiments?
- Cannot demomstrate causal relationships because IV not directly manipulated.
- Can only be used where conditions vary naturally.
- Participants may be aware of being studied, creating demand characteristics and reducing internal validity.
- The DV may be a fairly artficial task, reducing mundane realism.
What is strength of Quasi-experiments?
Allows comparisons between types of people.
What are limitations of Quasi-experiments?
- Participants may be aware of being studied, creating demand characteristics and reducing internal validty.
- The DV may be a fairly artificial task, reducing mundane realism.
Operationalise
Ensuring that variables are in a form that can be easily tested. E.g a GCSE maths grade.
Hypothesis
A precise and testable statement which is based on an assumption of a relationship between variables.
Aim
An statement of what the reseacher intend to find out in a research study.