What is a laboratory experiment?
- An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment
- The researcher manipulated the IV and records an effect on DV
- strict control of extraneous variables
What is a field experiment?
- An experiment takes place in a natural setting
- Researcher manipulates the IV and records an effect on the DV
What is a Natural Experiment?
- Change in IV is not brought by the researcher
- would have happened even if the researcher had not been there
- researcher records affect on DV
What is a Quasi experiment ?
- almost an experiment but the IV has not been determined by anyone.
- variables simply exist ( old or young )
what is a pilot study?
Small scale version of an investigation that takes places before the rest of the investigation is conducted
what are strengths of pilot studies
- save time and money in the long run
- data collected will be valid
- allows researcher a chance to practice
what are limitations of pilot studies?
participants are required
- could be a waste of time and money if no changes required
- could lead to the study being shared
What is an observation?
- non experimental method therefore they cannot establish cause and effect
- they can be used within experiments to assess the dependant variable (Zimbardo Prison)
describe a naturalistic observation
- watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which is would normally occur
describe a controlled observation
- watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment
for eg one where some variables are managed
describe a covert observation
The participants behaviour is watched and recorded without their permission knowledge or consent p
describe an overt observation
participants behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent
describe a participant observation
the researcher becomes a member of the group who’s behaviour he/she is watching or recording
describe a non participant observation
the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording
Define unstructured
- type of observation where behaviours is recorded in little detail
- useful if behaviours researches are investigating do not occur very often
define structured
- type of observation where researcher uses various systems to organise observations
such as : sampling techniques and behavioural categories
Define target behaviour
- Behaviours which are the main focus of the investigation
Define behavioural categories
- target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable
Define behavioural checklist
- checklist of behaviours to be observed in individual components
- each component should be observable behaviour which is measurable
Define continuous recording
- making a note of everything without pause
Define event sampling
- researcher records number of times a particular behaviour or event occurs in a target individual or group
Define time sampling
- researcher records behaviour within a pre determined time frame
define inter observer reliability
- extent to which the argument between two or more observers involved in the observation of a behaviour
- measured by correlating observations of two or more observers
- correlation between two observers is +0.8 the date is said to have high inter observer reliability
Define Quantitative
data that can be counted
given in numbers
