Research Methods

Question 1

Define mundane realism

Answer 1

How the study mirrors the real world

Question 2

Define extraneous and confounding variable?

Answer 2

Extraneous- something wrong with people.

Confounding- design fault

Question 3

Define investigator bias and demand characteristics

Answer 3

Investigator bias- hints given to the participants by the investigator about the point of the experiment.
Demand characteristics- where results of the experiment are biased because the experimenters expectancies create an implicit demand for the participant to perform as expected.

Question 4

Define lab experiment

Answer 4

Take place in a highly controlled environment, researcher manipulates the IV and records the DV.

Question 5

Define Field experiment

Answer 5

Takes place in natural, everyday setting. Researcher manipulates the iv and records the effect on the Dv

Question 6

Define natural experiment

Answer 6

Researcher takes advantage of preexisting Iv. The Iv is not brought around by the researcher, would have happened anyway.

Question 7

Define quasi experiment

Answer 7

Almost an experiment but not quite, the Iv is based on an existing difference between people. No one manipulates the Iv it just exists e.g. age or gender

Question 8

Name 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of lab experiments

Answer 8

S- well controlled so extraneous and confounding variables minimised.
S- can be easily replicated, showing external validity
W- may lack mundane realism as in a lab
W- investigator and demand characteristics

Question 9

Give strengths and weakness of field experiment.

Answer 9

S- higher in mundane realism and ecological validity
S- participants not aware of being studied so more natural behaviour.
W- more time consuming and more expensive
W- less control of e and c variables
W- participants not aware of being studied so leads to major ethical issue

Question 10

Strengths and weaknesses of natural experiment

Answer 10

S- allow research to be done where Iv can’t be manipulated or for ethical reasons
S- increases mundane realism
W-cannot demonstrate casual relationship because the IV cannot be manipulated
W- random allocation not possible so c variables can’t be controlled
W- may not be generalised to other groups, low pop validity
W- can only be used where conditions vary naturally

Question 11

Strengths and weaknesses of quasi experiment

Answer 11

W- can only be used where conditions vary naturally
W- aware of being studied which reduces internally validity. Possible e variables and demand characteristics
W- artificial task which reduces mundane realism and ecological validity
W-random allocation not possible which reduces internal validity and may have c variables
W- Iv not manipulated so cannot demonstrate casual relationship
S- allows comparison between different types of people

Question 12

Define independent groups

Answer 12

Participants are randomly allocated to groups, each participant does one level and IV.

Question 13

Define repeated measures

Answer 13

Each participant takes part in every condition, does all levels of IV

Question 14

Define matched pairs

Answer 14

Pairs of participants are matched on a key, relevant variable e.g. IQ or age. One member of the pair is placed in one group and the other is placed in the other.

Question 15

Define experimental group and control group

Answer 15

Experimental- The group that receives the IV

Control- The group that receives no treatment

Question 16

How can you avoid the major limitations of repeated measures

Answer 16

• Counterbalancing (do tests in different order)
• Use 2 different tests
• Use a cover story to stop people guessing

Question 17

How can you avoid the major limitation of independent groups?

Answer 17

Randomly allocate participants.

Question 18

How can you avoid the major limitations of matched pairs?

Answer 18

• restrict number of variables to match to make it easier

- Conduct a pilot study to consider key variables.

Question 19

what are the strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures?

Answer 19

+Control participant variables as all participants do all the variables.
+You only need half as many participants as other tests
-Screw you effect, order effect, boredom effect and fatigue effect
-May guess the aim of the experiment which may alter performance.
-One test may be harder than others.

Question 20

What are the strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs?

Answer 20

+controls some important variables

• time consuming
• not possible to control all variables

Question 21

What are the strengths and weakness of independent groups?

Answer 21

+Unlikely to guess the aim as only do one IV
+No order effects
+Doesn’t matter if one test is harder as other participants will do other tests
+time saving
-extraneous variables
-Need more participants than repeated measures

Question 22

What the 4 things on the BPS ethics guidelines

Answer 22

Informed consent- participants need to know what they’re signing up for
Right to withdraw- Participants should be able to leave at any point
Protection from harm- Participants should receive help if they are hurt, but should be protected from physical and psychological harm
Confidentiality-Only the researcher should see the results

Question 23

What is required on a consent form?

Answer 23

1) title of study
2) name and contact details of study
3) confirmation that the participant:
- has read and understood info sheet
- Has had the chance to ask questions
- have the right to withdraw
- consent to specific parts of the study e.g. filmed
- Signature and date

Question 24

What is required on a debrief sheet?

Answer 24

• true aim of study
• outline of all IV’s
• Ask participants if they have any questions
• Relevant ethical considerations e.g. remind of right to withdraw
• Offer help if people are distressed
• Thank them for taking part

Question 25

What is required on an info sheet?

Answer 25

-title
-intro
answers to FAQs such as:
do I have to take part
what will happen to me
How long
where
any risks
advantages
Who will see the results
-name and contact details
-thank you

Question 26

What are examples of experimental designs?

Answer 26

Independent groups, repeated measures, matched pairs