Research Methods Flashcards
What’s a laboratory experiment?
An experiment carried out in a controlled environment where the variables can be manipulated
What are two advantages of lab experiments?
High internal validity( controlled variables)
easy to replicate
what are two disadvantages of lab experiments?
low ecological validity (can’t be generalised)
demand characteristics
whats a field experiment?
experiment conducted in an environment that suits what you’re measuring (IV still manipulated)
give two advantages of field experiments
high ecological validity (can be generalised)
lack of demand characteristics
give two disadvantages of field experiments
low internal validity (less control of confounding or extrenuous variables)
harder to replicate
what’s a natural experiment?
conducted when it’s not legal or moral to conduct an experiment
give two advantages of natural experiments
allows research in unethical areas
high ecological validity
give two disadvantages of natural experiments
lack of casual relationship (IV not directly manipulated)
lack of random allocation
what’s a quasi experiment ?
an experiment where variables or IV can’t be manipulated by anyone - they already have it eg. gender or ethnicity
give two advantages of a quasi experiment
allows comparison between people
can be carried out in a lab
give two disadvantages of a quasi experiment
if tested in a lab, low ecological validity
lack of random allocation
what’s an extrenuous variable ?
any variable that may affect the DV - control variables
whats a confounding variable?
variables that can’t be or aren’t controlled in an experiment
what is external validity and the 3 types?
the degree to which research can be generalised
- ecological (in terms of where it was researched) - population (people tested eg. diversity) - historical (still valid today?)
what is internal validity?
the degree to which the findings are valid in terms of what goes on in the study eg. IV affecting DV? testing the correct DV? confounding and extrenuous ?
how can validity be tested?
pilot experiments
what is external reliability?
repeating and comparing the experiment to be able to trust it
what is internal reliability?
making sure people in the study have the same experience
How can reliability be tested?
pilot stidy
what is an independent group design?
each group does ONE level of the IV
what is the repeated measures design?
ALL participants receive all levels of the IV
what is counterbalancing?
either AB, BA or ABBA
what is the matched pairs design?
matching participants on similar relevant characteristics and having two similar groups
give 2 advantages of the independent groups?
avoid order and practice effects
give two disadvantages of the independent groups
can’t control pps variables eg. abilities
needs more pps
give two positives of repeated measures
same skill sets
needs less pps
give two disadvantages of the repeated measures
order or practice effect
pps may guess the aim
give two advantages of the matched pairs
avoid order effects
needs less participants
give two disadvantages of the matched pairs
time consuming
only matching known relevant variables
what is opportunity sampling?
finding pps through convenience
what is random sampling?
Radom allocation
what is stratified sampling?
pps are gained due to the percent of their subgroup in the population
what is volunteer sampling?
voluntary pps
what do the bps guidelines say?
consent privacy deception harm withdraw briefing
