Session 1 Flashcards
What is the experimental method?
Involves manipulating one variable to see these that changes other variables, relies on high levels of control to test hypothesis
What is the research aim?
A general statement about what the researcher intends to investigate
What is the independent variable?
Aspect of research that is manipulated by researcher or changes naturally
What is the dependant variable?
Variable which is measured by the researcher and should be caused by the independent variable
What is it to operationalise?
To be precise and clear about what is being manipulated or measured. Make it testable and repeatable
What is a hypothesis?
States what you believe is true. A precise statement regarding relationship between two variables
What is a non-directional hypothesis?
States there’s a predicted difference two conditions/ group of people in an operationalised way without stating difference
What is a directional hypothesis?
States direction of predicted difference between conditions/ group of people in an operationalised way
What are the 4 types of experiments and what are they ?
- lab: in a controlled environment, participants aware they’re taking part in an experiment ( may not know true aims)
- field: takes place in real world
- natural: observational
- quasi: researcher reassembles experiment but it’s not true experimental research
What’s the common feature of all these experiments?
Control & realism
Name advantages and disadvantages of Lab experiments
Advantages
- have a lot of control
- can repeat
Disadvantage
- ecological validity (repeatability in different settings)
- mundane realism ( extent to which experiment reflects real world)
- demand characteristics ( cue that makes participants aware of what researcher wants to find)
Name advantages and disadvantages of field experiments
Advantages
- higher mundane realism than lab
- high external validity ( participants don’t know they’re being studied
Disadvantages
- ethical issues ( cannot consent)
- not easily replicated
Name advantages and disadvantages of natural experiments
Advantages
- high external validity
Disadvantages
- limited generalisability
- could lack realism
Name Advantages and Disadvantages of Quasi experiments
Advantages
- controlled
Disadvantages
- confounding variables
Define quantitative and qualitative data
- quantitative: involves numerical data
- qualitative: expressed in words
