Research Methods : Research Issues : EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES!

Question 1

What are the three types of research issues

Answer 1

extraneous variables
confounding variables
demand characteristics

Question 2

What is the key to any experiment

Answer 2

changing IV to see how this affects DV

Question 3

What is the only thing that should influence the dependent variable

Answer 3

IV

Question 4

Any variables that may interfere with IV (or DV) should be

Answer 4

controlled or removed

Question 5

Define extraneous variables

Answer 5

nuisance variables that vary systematically with the iv

variable other than IV

that may affect DV

if not controlled

Question 6

If possible when are EV identified

Answer 6

At the start of the study

Question 7

EV are identified at the start of then study by who

Answer 7

the researcher

Question 8

EV are identified at the start of the study by researchers who do what

Answer 8

take steps to minimise their influence

Question 9

True or false most Extraneous variables are straightforward to control

Answer 9

true

Question 10

Give an example of EV that are easy to control

Answer 10

age of the particpants

lighting in the lab

Question 11

EV are described as nuisance variables that do not …

Answer 11

done delete

Question 12

EV/nuisance variables may do what to the experminetal water

Answer 12

muddy it

Question 13

EV/Nuisance variables muddy the experimental water but do not what

Answer 13

confound the findings of the study

Question 14

Overall EV/nuisance variables make it harder to

Answer 14

detect a result

Question 15

what does control mean

Answer 15

actions taken to minimise effect of Extraneous variables on the dv

Question 16

demand charactersitics are a type of

Answer 16

extraneous variable

Question 17

define participant variables ( a type of extraneous variable )

Answer 17

in an independent group design , if there are more people with

relevant charcteristicss, prior knowledge or skills related tot the task in one condition

this can result in a difference in performance between conditions unrelated to the IV

Question 18

What are situational variables

Answer 18

enviro factors present in one condition but not otehr that could reasonablty lead to a change in behaviour between conditions

e.g temperature , noise, visual differences

Question 19

what are order effects

Answer 19

in a repeated measures design the fact that the participant has already completed one condition can alter behaviour in teh second condition

e.g performance improvement due to practice

perfomance decreases due to fatigue

Question 20

how can i reduce impact of particpant variables

Answer 20

random allocation

randomisation

Question 21

random allocation removes

Answer 21

potential bias

Question 22

how does radom allcoation remove potential bias

Answer 22

assings more pt with relevant characteristics to one condition in an independent group design

but more pt with relevat characteristics can end up in one group due to chance

Question 23

randomisation is one way to reduce ev t/f

Answer 23

t

Question 24

explain how matched pairs works/ reduces participant variables

Answer 24

relevant characterisitics are measured before the study and top 2 pt are randomly assigned to seperate groups

Question 25

how can we control order effects

Answer 25

counterbalancing

Question 26

explain counterbalancing/how it helps

Answer 26

abba format

half pt complete condition a first then b

other half of pt complete b first then a

meaning order effects such as practice influence each condition equally

Question 27

how can we reduce situational variables

Answer 27

standardisation

Question 28

how does standardisation work

Answer 28

allows researchers to ensure each pt has same experience apart from variation in iv

Question 29

how can we reduce demand charcateristics

Answer 29

single and double blind trials

Question 30

in the single blind trial the pt doesnt knwo

Answer 30

the aim of the experiment

Question 31

in a double blind trial both the pt and researcher dont knwo

Answer 31

aim of the experimetn

Question 32

double blind trials attempt to stop researcher from

Answer 32

conciously/unconsciously influencing pt behaviour with their body language/tone of voice

Question 33

what else reduces the lieklihood of demand characteristics

Answer 33

standardised procedures/scripts