Research methods - Y12 Flashcards
what are variables?
an element or feature in your study which has the ability to change.
what allows us to study cause and effect?
an experiment.
what is the IV?
the variable that is directly manipulated by the experimenter in order top observe the effects on the dependant variable
what is the dependent variable?
the variable that is measured by the experimenter
what is operationalisation?
operationalisation is defining the variable so that it can be measured. this means making It clay how the variable will be specifically tested.
what are extraneous variables?
extraneous variables are factors which may confound the results of an experiments and so need to be controlled to allow the experimenter to infer causation
what are confounding variables?
variables which do change systematically with the IV which means that an extraneous variable will have an affect on the results leading to the experimenter being unsure whether change was due to the IV or confounding variables.
what is a lab experiment?
an experiment where the researcher manipulates the IV to see the effect it has on the DV which is taken place in highly controlled settings
what is a field experiment?
an experiment which take place in a natural environment but still maintain some control over key variables
what is a quasi experiment?
experiments which are not true because the IV cannot be directly be manipulated and/or participants are not randomly allocated to the conditions.
what is a natural experiment?
an experiment which is natural as well as the change in the IV meaning the experimenter studies a naturally varying IV rather then deliberately manipulating it.
strengths of lab experiments
well controlled, valid, replicable, reliable.
weaknesses of lab experiments
artificial, contrived situation where participants may not behave naturally thereby reducing ecological validity.
strengths of field experiments
less artificial as participants are not aware of the study so they are less reactive to the situation, higher mundane realism
weaknesses of field experiment
less control of extraneous variables, more time consuming, more expensive, loss of control of the confounding and extraneous variables therefore iv and dv may be more difficult to establish
