Research Methods & Ethics Flashcards
Independent Variable
The variable that the experimenter changes, and is interested in its effect. We want to see the impact of the IV on the DV
Dependant Variable
A variable that is measured and measures the effect of the IV
Extraneous Variable
Any variable not being investigated that has the potential to affect the DV and the outcome of a research study that isn’t the IV
Confounding variable
When an extraneous variable does affect the experiment
Control condition (3 points)
-A condition that is used as a standard of comparison in a scientific experiment
-The IV is not present
-Is used to be compared to the experimental condition
Lab Experiment
An experiment in a controlled (artificial) environment, with a controlled IV
-HIGH DEGREE OF CONTROL
Experimental condition
The Independent Variable IS present, and you are testing the effect that the IV has on the DV
Natural Experiment (2 points)
-Takes place in a natural environment and the experimenter is not manipulating the IV
-The experimenter is rather observing and using information produced by natural circumstances
Field Experiment
An experiment in a natural environment, with a controlled IV
Independent measures design
An experimental design in which you only assign each of your participants to one of your experimental conditions
Repeated measures design
An experimental design where the same participants participate in each IV condition of the experiment
Matched Participants Design
An experimental design where pairs of participants are matched in terms of key variables
Standardization
Keeping the procedure for each participant in a study (experiment/interview) exactly the same to ensure any differences between participants were treated
Reliability
The extent to which a procedure, task, or measure is consistent, for example, that it would produce the same results with the same people on each occasion
External Validity
Is it valid outside of the primary group (you are able to generalize it outside of the group to other situations and groups of people)
Internal Validity
Is it valid within the primary group (are they testing what they say they’re testing for?) - testing that it is not influenced by other factors or variables
Ecological Validity
Is it valid for the real world (is the ENVIRONMENT matching the real world?)
Generalisability
How widely do findings apply to other settings and populations
Mundane realism
Is the ACTION match the real world? (is it valid for the real world)
Self Report
A questionnaire/survey/interview that obtains information from the participants about themselves
Questionnaire
A set of questions that is sent out to collect data from a variety of people to reach a conclusion
Closed Question
A question sent out in a questionnaire with direct, set answers (“How many months has your leg been hurting?”)
Open Question
A question sent out in a questionnaire with an open, longer answer (“How was your day today?”)
Inter-rater reliability
When you have at least 2 experimenters evaluating data/results and seeing whether or not they agree on the interpretation