Research Methods: Extraneous Variables & Controls Flashcards
An unwanted variable other than the IV that COULD effect the DV is known as…
An Extraneous Variable
An extraneous variable is another variable that is not the…
Independent Variable that could effect the DV.
What can an extraneous variable do?
Effect the DV
Having an extraneous variable in a study would lower which type of validity?
Internal validity
If I had low control in my research, why may the internal validity of my study be lowered?
Due to an extraneous variable(s)
Name an example that is a situational factors of EVs
Task Difficulty
Situational Factors are things to do with the …
Environment
Give 2 examples of Participant variables that are EVs
Age
Gender
IQ
Eyesight
Hearing
EVs to do with the environment are what type of factors?
Situational Factors
EVs to do with the participant e.g. age or IQ is an example of what variables?
Participant Variables
Experimenter Variables are things to do with who?
The researcher
Give an example of an experimenter variable (keyterm)
Investigator effects e.g. tone of voice
Tone of voice & investigator effects are examples of what type of extraneous variable?
Experimenter Variables
When an extraneous variable is not controlled and DOES affect the DV - this is known as…
A confounding variable
A confounding variable is an extraneous variable that has …
NOT been controlled
What is the keyterm for participants changing natural behaviour due to clues given off by the researcher?
Demand Characteristics
A demand characteristic is where the researcher gives off … and the participant …
Clues
Changes their natural behaviour
What 2 H’s may a participant do to the researcher due to demand characteristics?
Help // Hinder
To control demand characteristics - who would we get?
Another researcher who does not know the aims
Name the 2 methods of CONTROLLING bias in research
Randomisation
Standardisation
When standardising - participants will have the the …
SAME instructions//environment
HOW could I conduct randomisation? Give 2 methods
Picking out of a hat
Random computer generator
In a study - what 2 aspects should be randomised by picking out of a hat?
Order of the task (e.g. word list)
Order of conditions
Bias & Demand characteristics are problems (extraneous variables) of experimental ..
METHODS
Name the issue (extraneous variable) associated with independent groups design
Individual Differences
Name the issue (extraneous variable) associated with repeated measures design
Order Effects
Individual Differences is a potential extraneous variable of which experimental design?
Independent Groups Design
Order Effects is a potential extraneous variable of which experimental design?
Repeated Measures Design
Order Effects & Individual Differences both reduce which type of validity of experimental designs?
Internal Validity
Having different participants in different conditions causes what extraneous variable in an independent groups design?
Individual Differences
Participants taking part in all conditions may perform better or worse because of what extraneous variable associated with repeated measures design?
Order Effects
Order Effects cause participants to become what? (Name 3)
Better
Bored
Fatigued
Becoming bored, better or fatigued are what extraneous variable in a repeated measures design?
Order Effects
Becoming bored, better or fatigued is an extraneous variable associated with which experimental design?
Repeated Measures Design
Name the control used to reduce individual differences as an extraneous variable in an independent groups design
Random Allocation
Name the control used to reduce order effects as an extraneous variable in repeated measures design
Counterbalancing (ABBA)
Random Allocation is a control for what extraneous variable in what design?
Individual Differences in Independent groups design
Counterbalancing (ABBA) is a control for what extraneous variable in what design?
Order Effects in Repeated Measures Design
What is the 1st step of Random Allocation as a control for individual differences?
Write the names of ppt on equal sizes pieces of paper
What is the 2nd step of Random Allocation as a control for individual differences?
Put the names on paper into a hat
What is the 3rd step of Random Allocation as a control for individual differences?
Randomly pick out names of ppt and place half in condition 1 half in condition 2
When conducting random allocation, what do I put the names of ppt in once written on equal sized pieces of paper?
A hat
What do I write on equal sized pieces of paper when conducting random allocation?
Names of ppt
What is the purpose of counterbalancing?
To reduce order effects
How to I reduce order effects?
Counterbalancing
Once counterbalancing has been conducted, what happens to the order effects?
They are BALANCED OUT across conditions
How do I minimise order effects by balancing them out across conditions?
Counterbalancing (ABBA)
When a researcher uses counterbalancing, what is the order of conditions for the first half of participants and the order for the second half of participants
First half condition A to condition B
Second half condition B to condition A
