Research Methods Flashcards
Define mundane realism
How the study mirrors the real world
Define extraneous and confounding variable?
Extraneous- something wrong with people.
Confounding- design fault
Define investigator bias and demand characteristics
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.
Define lab experiment
Take place in a highly controlled environment, researcher manipulates the IV and records the DV.
Define Field experiment
Takes place in natural, everyday setting. Researcher manipulates the iv and records the effect on the Dv
Define natural experiment
Researcher takes advantage of preexisting Iv. The Iv is not brought around by the researcher, would have happened anyway.
Define quasi experiment
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
Name 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of lab experiments
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
Give strengths and weakness of field experiment.
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
Strengths and weaknesses of natural experiment
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
Strengths and weaknesses of quasi experiment
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
Define independent groups
Participants are randomly allocated to groups, each participant does one level and IV.
Define repeated measures
Each participant takes part in every condition, does all levels of IV
Define matched pairs
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.
Define experimental group and control group
Experimental- The group that receives the IV
Control- The group that receives no treatment
How can you avoid the major limitations of repeated measures
- Counterbalancing (do tests in different order)
- Use 2 different tests
- Use a cover story to stop people guessing
How can you avoid the major limitation of independent groups?
Randomly allocate participants.
How can you avoid the major limitations of matched pairs?
- restrict number of variables to match to make it easier
- Conduct a pilot study to consider key variables.
what are the strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures?
+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.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs?
+controls some important variables
- time consuming
- not possible to control all variables
What are the strengths and weakness of independent groups?
+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
What the 4 things on the BPS ethics guidelines
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
What is required on a consent form?
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
What is required on a debrief sheet?
- 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
What is required on an info sheet?
-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
What are examples of experimental designs?
Independent groups, repeated measures, matched pairs
