RESEARCH METHODS: RESEARCH ISSUES Flashcards
what is an experiment?
A controlled situation in which the researcher manipulates one variable to discover its effect on another variable, while the other variables are held constant.
extraneous variable
Any variable other than the independent variable, that may affect the dependent variable if it is not controlled. Extraneous variables are essentially nuisance variables that do not very systematically with the IV.
- unwanted variables
- should be identified at the start and should be controlled
What are the types of extraneous variables?
- participant variables
- situational variables
What a participant variables?
Participant variables are the individual differences found among participants that could change the results of the study.
Individual differences cannot be eliminated but you can limit the effects.
Examples of participant variables.
- age
- gender
- mood
- ethnicity
- expectations
- intelligence
-personality - memory
- previous experience
What a situational variables?
The features of the experimental situation that may affect the dependant variable.
They are the differences in the set up of the experiment.
examples of situational variables?
ENVIRONMENT - heat/noise/distractions
TIME - day/place/history
ORDER EFFECTS - which order it is done in
What are confounding variables?
Variables that interfere with the effect on the independent variable - you can explain the results of the study with a factor other than the independent variable. They are very systematically with the independent variable.
What are examples of confounding variables?
DEMAND CHARACTERSITICS
INVESTIGATOR EFFECTS
RANDOMISATION
What are DEMAND characteristics?
Demand characteristics can be defined as any clue from the researcher or from the research situation that may help the participant to guess the experiments intentions or aims of the study.
participant behaviour is unnatural
What are the two effects within demand characteristics?
- please- u - effect
- screw - u -effect
What is a please - u - effect?
Acting in a way they think is expected to please experimenter.
what is a screw - u - effect?
Deliberately underperforms to sabotage the results of the study.
What are investigator effects?
When there are differences due to the person running the experiment. Participant reactivity leads to the investigator effects.
What factors of the Investigators causes investigator effects?
Body language or tone of voice alters their response.
Confirmation bias – you have already made your mind up.
Demand characteristics – they know what you want to hear.
- Selection of participants
- Materials or instructions given
- leading question
