Variables Flashcards

1
Q

What is an operational definition?

A

Refers to how you will define and measure a specific variable as it is used in your study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the experimental hypothesis

A

A prediction of what will happen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a null hypothesis

A

A prediction that nothing will happen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a directional hypothesis

A

A prediction that the results will go a certain way

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a 1 tailed hypothesis

A

When a hypothesis predicts the direction of the results e.g. studying improves exam marks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is a 2 tailed hypothesis

A

A hypothesis that does not state a general direction of the results e.g. one variable will certainly influence the other variable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is an extraneous variable

A

All the other variables that may affect the results

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a confounding variable

A

An extraneous variable that was only noticed after it has affected the results

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the 3 types of experimental design

A

Independent groups, repeated measures, matched pairs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are independent groups

A

Different people are used in each condition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the strengths of independent groups

A

Demand characteristics are less of a problem

Order effects are less of a problem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the weaknesses of independent groups

A

Participant variables can be a problem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are repeated measures

A

The same people used in both conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the strengths of repeated measures

A

Participants are better controlled

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the weaknesses of repeated measures

A

Demand characteristics may be a problem

Order effects may be a problem but can be controlled through counterbalancing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are matched pairs

A

Different people are used but have similar characteristics in each condition

17
Q

What are the strengths of matched pairs

A

Demand characteristics are less of a problem

Order effects are less of a problem

Participant variables are better controlled

18
Q

What are the weaknesses of matched pairs

A

No two participants will ever be perfectly matched so there may be some participant variables

19
Q

What is a lab experiment

A

Its where psychologists investigate human behaviour in an artificial situation

20
Q

What are the strengths of a lab experiment

A

Allows investigator to maintain high levels of control

Allows experimenter to easily repeat the experiment for better reliability

Good internal validity

21
Q

What are the weaknesses of Lab experiments

A

Lack ecological validity

Demand characteristics

22
Q

What is a field experiment

A

The researcher still manipulates the IV but instead of the research being carried out in a lab/artificial setting, it is carried out in the participants’ normal environment

23
Q

Strengths of a field experiment

A

High ecological validity

Less chance of demand characteristics

Greater mundane realism

24
Q

Weaknesses of a field experiment

A

Less control over variables

Sample bias

Questions over ethics-informed consent

25
Q

What is a quasi experiment

A

The researcher does not manipulate the IV but waits for it to occur naturally

26
Q

Strengths of a quasi experiment

A

High ecological validity

Ethics are good

27
Q

Weaknesses of quasi experiment

A

Selection bias

Internal validity concerns

Less control over variables

28
Q
A