Research Methords : Research Issues Flashcards
What is an extraneous variable
Any variable, other than the independent variable that may affect the dependent variable if it is not controlled.
They are nuisance variables that do not vary systematically with the IV
What is an example of an EV that is straightforward to control
Age of participants
Lightening in lab
These are described as nuisance variables that do not vary systematically with the IV
They make it harder to detect a result
What is a confounding variable
A kind of extraneous variable but it varies systematically with the IV
Therefore we cannot tell if any change in the DV is due to the IV or confounding variable
What is an example of a confounding variable
Twenty participants in study
Use the first ten participants in the speed up condition and they are all excited because they have seen Prince William on there way.
Unexpected event means there is a second unintended IV - whether they are excited or not
What is the problem with confounding variables in the example
The emotion varied systematically with the IV and this alone could explain changes in the DV
What are demand characteristics
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.
What is participant reactivity
Extraneous variable in experimental research that is difficult to control
What is the please u effect
Participants act in a way that they think is expected and over perform to please the researcher
What is the screw u effect
Participants deliberately under perform to sabotage the results of the study
Why is the please u and score u effect bad
The participants behaviour is no longer natural and so this is an extraneous variable that may affect the DV
What are investigator effects
Any effect of the investigators behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome.
This may include everything from the deign of the study to the selection of and interaction with participants during the research process.
What did Hugh coolican (2006) point out about investigator effects
Investigator effects may include expectancy effects and unconscious cues.
It might also refer to any actions of the researcher that were related to the study’s design, such as the selection of participants,materials,instructions.
LEADING QUESTIONS in eyewitness testimony cases
What is randomisation
The use of chance methods to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of experimental conditions
What does randomisation aim to control
Investigator effects
What is an example of randomisation
If all participants were to take part in four conditions, the order in which these conditions would be completed in would be randomised for each participant
THIS IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO COUNTERBALANCING
What is counterbalancing
The order in which the conditions are completed
What is standardisation
Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study
What does standardisation include
Standardised instructions
All participants should be subject to the same environment, information and experience
Non standardised changes in procedure DO NOT act as extraneous variables
