week 3 PTTR (confounds) Flashcards
what are the 4 basic elements of a true experiment?
manipulation
measurement
comparison
control
what are two characteristics of confounding variables?
- it influences the dependent variable
- it varies systematically with the independent variable
what are 3 methods for controlling confounding variables
holding constant
matching
randomisation
what is the difference between a confounding variable and an extraneous variable
an extraneous variable has the potential to become a confounding variable
an extraneous variable becomes a confounding variable when it influences the dependent variable
what does holding constant mean when controlling extraneous variables
holding the variable constant so it cannot change
what does matching mean when controlling extraneous variable
making sure that the levels of the variable is the same in each treatment condition
e.g if age is a confounding variable, making sure that there is the same average age in each treatment condition
what does control by randomisation mean
using an unbiased procedure to distribute different vales of each extraneous variable across the treatment conditions
what is a disadvantage of holding constant?
it limits generalisation (external validity)
what is a manipulation check?
an additional measure to assess how the participants percieved/interpreted the manipulation
what is a simulation in research?
the creation of conditions that simulate or closely duplicate the natural environment in which behaviours would occur
what is the difference between mundane realism and external realism?
mundane realism refers to the superficial characteristics of the simulation which probably has little effect of external validity
experimental realism refers to the characteristic of the simulation that leads to the participants behaving more naturally
what is a field study in psychological research?
research conducted in a place that the participant perceives as a natural environment
