Research methods- Extraneous variables+ extra definitions

Question 1

Extraneous variables

Answer 1

Variables other than the independent variable that if left uncontrolled could affect the dependent variable. All EV’s reduce the researchers internal validity.

Question 2

Confounding variables

Answer 2

If extraneous variables are not controlled, they become CVs, as they confuse and/ or confound the results.

Question 3

Participant variables

Answer 3

TYPE OF EXTRANEOUS VARIABLE
Any characteristic of the individual participant that could affect the results. E.g. differences in age, intelligence, motivation or past experiences may make participants preform better/ worse. Investigators only control relevant EV’s.

Question 4

Random allocation

Answer 4

An attempt to control for participant variables in an independent groups design which ensures that each participant had the same chance of being in one condition as any other.

Question 5

Situational Variables

Answer 5

TYPE OF EXTRANEOUS VARIABLE
Features of the research situation that might influence participants behaviour. E.g. time of day, temperature, noise levels, but all can be controlled if the behaviour is likely to be researched.

Question 6

Order effects

Answer 6

The results is effected by the fact that participants are doing the study more than once (take part in both/ all conditions). The results are either effected due to practice, boredom or timeless.

Question 7

Investigator effects

Answer 7

-Any characteristics of the researcher that causes the participant to behave unnaturally (e.g. body language/speech/the way they look).
-Could easily influence study.
-Could deal with it using the double blind procedure (researcher does not know what is happening).

Question 8

Demand characteristics

Answer 8

Any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of an investigation. This may lead to a participant changing their behaviour within the research situation.

Question 9

Randomisation

Answer 9

-Selected 20 words.
-Remove investigator bias by putting words in a random order using a generator.
-Using chance.

Question 10

Counter balancing

Answer 10

An attempt to control the effects of order in a repeated measures design: half the participants experience the conditions in one order, and the other half in the opposite order (ABBA technique).

Question 11

Double blind procedure

Answer 11

This involves both participant and researcher do not know the aims of the study to reduce demand characteristics and investigator effects.

Question 12

Participants reactivity (effects)

Answer 12

TYPE OF EXTRANOUS VARIABLE
Occurs when the participant actively seeks clues about how to behave and then responds accordingly.

Question 13

Single blind procedure

Answer 13

A participant does not know the aims of the study so that the demand characteristics are reduced. Deception and placebo effects are involved.

Question 14

Social desirability bias

Answer 14

A tendency for the respondents to answer questions in such a way that presents themselves in a better light. E.g. inflate income if low or deflate income if high. Mainly in questionnaires.

Question 15

Screw-U/ Please-U effect

Answer 15

People may act the way they think is expected to please the experiment (Please-U) or they may deliberately under-perform to sabotage results (Screw-U).

Question 16

Standardised procedures and instructions

Answer 16

Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study so as to avoid investigator effects caused by different procedures/ instructions.