Variables

Question 1

Participant Variables

Answer 1

Any Characteristics of participant that could alter results, gender age intelligence

Question 2

Control-participant variables

Answer 2

Use of random allocation- independent groups design

Question 3

Situational variables

Answer 3

Order effects
Investigator effects
Demand Characteristics

Question 4

Order effects

Answer 4

In a repeated measures designed to a CV arises from the order in which conditions are presented e.g. boredom effects

Question 5

Investigator effects

Answer 5

Any effect of the investigators behaviour on the outcome of the research (the DV) and also on design decisions.

Question 6

Demand characteristics

Answer 6

Refers to any cues from the researcher or research situation that may reveal the aim of the study and change participants behaviour.

Question 7

Use of standardised procedures and instructions

Answer 7

Using exactly the same formalised peocedures for all particpants in a research study. Increases reliability and internal validity

Question 8

Randomisation

Answer 8

The use of chance when designing an investigation to control for the effects of bias e.g. allocating participants to conditions.

Question 9

Counter balancing

Answer 9

An attempt to control for the effects of order in repeated measures design: half the participants experience the conditions in one order, and the other half opposite order.

Question 10

Control for investigator effects - double blind procedure

Answer 10

Both participants and researchers don’t know the aims of the study to reduce demand characteristics and investigator effects. Consciously or unconsciously. Can’t influence the outcome.