Research Methods Flashcards
DV
The factor which will be measured in an experiment to see if changing the IV has an effect
Hypothesis
A testable statement about the relationship between two variables (IV&DV)
IV
The factor which will be changed in an experiment to look for an effect on the DV
Null hypothesis
A hypothesis that exists and states that no variables affect any other variables
Lab experiment
Conducted in a lab
Field experiment
Takes place in a real environment - there is a IV that is manipulated —> effects the DV
Natural experiment.
In a real environment with a naturally occurring IV
Independent groups
Where two or more separate groups of participants are used in an experiment, and each group takes part in one of the conditions.
Matched pairs
Where people with similar qualities are grouped into pairs, and each member of the pair takes part in a different condition.
Repeated measures
Where only one group of participants is used in an experiment and the group takes part in both conditions
Order effect
When a participants performance in the second condition of an experiment is affected because they have already done the first condition.
Non experimental methods
Correlational analysis Observations Case study Interviews Questionnaires
Eval of lab experiment
:) High level of control over variables which means extraneous variables are more likely to be controlled and therefore a cause and effect relationship can be established —> increases the internal validity
:) high reliably as it is tightly controlled, so can be easily repeated meaning the findings can be checked for consistency
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:( Lacks ecological validity as its done in a fake environment with a fake task so its difficult to generalize the results beyond the setting of a study
:( encourage demand characteristics where the participants change their behavior based on clues given off by the researcher —> less accurate results
Eval of field experiment
:) Less prone to demand characteristics as people might not know they are being watched —> behavior displayed is more natural (higher ecological validity)
:) Findings can be generalized beyond the setting of the study
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:( Little control so lacks reliability, because it is difficult to replicate the experiment
:( Ethical issue: lack of informed consent as people are not aware they are being studies
Eval of natural experiment
:) Participants do not display demand characteristics as they are not aware of the study, so behavior is natural —> More ecological validity
:) Able to generalize beyond the setting of the study
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:( Lacks reliability as there is little control meaning it is difficult to replicate the experiment
:( More difficult to establish cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV —-> less internal validity
Random allocation
Randomly assigning participants in different groups (used in independent measures design)
Counterbalancing
To combat order effects- the order of conditions are reversed for half the participants (B->A instead of A->B). This is only used in repeated measures design.
Eval of independent measures design
:) No order effects —> Higher reliability
:( Errors may occur due to individual differences (e.g age, gender, IQ) —> Reduced internal validity
Eval of repeated measured design
:) Individual differences between participants removed —> higher internal validity
:( Order effects —> Reduced reliability
Eval of matched pairs design
:) Controls the individual differences —> increasing internal validity
:( Very time consuming to match up similar participants
Random sampling
Every person in the target population has an equal chance of being selected