The Experimental Method Flashcards
Aims
A statement that the researchers intend to find out in a research study.
Dependent Variable (DV)
A measurable outcome of the action of the independent variable in an experiment.
Experiment
A research method where casual conclusions can be drawn, an independent variable has been deliberately manipulated to see the effect on the dependent variable.
Extraneous Variable (EV)
Any variable other than the Independent variable that might effect the dependent variable.
Extraneous variables
Examples
Demand characteristics- if a participant thinks theyve discoverd the aim they might change their behaviour to what the reasercher wants.
Experimentor effect- the reaserchers actions makes the participant change how they act.
Partticipant variables- how the particpant is (age, gender, past experiences)
Situational varaibles- changes in environment.
order effects- people might not want to do more than one design so their behaviour changes.
Confounding variables
A variable other than the IV that changes systematically between the levels of Iv.
(Exersise and remembering words, getting tired is confounding)
Control extrenous variables
Random allocation- removes bias and spreads out the participant variables.
Matched pairs- relevant characteristcs being put together in different groups.
Hypothesis
A precise and testable statement about the assumed relationship between variables.
Independent Variable (IV)
Some event that is directly manipulated to test the effect on the other variable
Hypothesis
Types
Null hypothesis shows no change between variables
Alternative hypothesis shows a difference between DV due to the IV
Hypothesis
directional/ one tailed
States there is a difference and what that difference is.
Hypothesis
Non directional/ two tailed
states that there will be a change, however dose not state what the change will be
Operationalisation
Clearly stating what the variable is and how you will measure it.
