Created by Kelly Bissong
over 7 years ago
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Question | Answer |
What is the aim of an experiment? | The purpose of the investigation |
What is the hypothesis? | A testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated |
Two types of hypothesis? | Directional hypothesis: states the direction of the difference or relationship (used when findings from previous studies showed a particular outcome) Non-directional hypothesis: does not state the direction (used when there has been no previous research) |
What is the independent variable? | Aspect of the experiment that is changed or manipulated so the effect of the DV can be measured |
What is the dependent variable? | Variable that is measured by the researcher and any effect should be caused by the IV |
What is operationalisation? | Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured |
What is an extraneous variable? | Any variable, other than the IV, that may have an effect on the DV if it's not controlled |
What is a confounding variable? | Any variable, other than the IV, that may have affected the DV, so we cannot be sure of the true source for the changes to the DV e.g. personality |
What are demand characteristics? | Cues from the researcher that may be interpreted by pps (participants) as revealing the aims of the study. Leads to pps changing their behaviour. |
What are investigator effects? | Any effect of the investigator's behaviour on the DV, unconscious or conscious. For example, the design of the study and the selection of pps. |
What is randomisation? | The use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias from extraneous/confounding variables. |
What is standardisation? | Using the exact formalised procedure and instructions for all pps in a research study |
What is an independent groups design? | When pps are in two separate groups, each doing a different condition of the experiment |
Evaluate the independent groups design | Adv: No order effects or demand characteristics (pps are less likely to guess the aims of the study). Disadv: Participant variables may affect the DV instead of the IV (dealt with by random allocation), less economical. |
What is a repeated measures design? | All pps take part in all conditions of the experiment |
Evaluate the repeated measure design | Adv: Participant variables are controlled and less pps are needed, so more economical Disadv: Order effects (controlled by counterbalancing) and demand characteristics |
What is a matched pairs design? | Pairs of pps are matched on some variable(s) affecting the DV, then one pps is assigned to a condition and the other pps is assigned to another |
Evaluate a matched pairs design | Adv: No order effects or demand characteristics as pps only take part in one condition Disadv: Pps can't be matched exactly, time-consuming, expensive so less economical |
What is a lab experiment? | Takes place in highly controlled conditions and researcher manipulates IV & records the effect of the DV |
Evaluate a lab experiment | Strengths: High control of extraneous variables, resulting in high internal validity, can be replicated Limitations: Lack generalisabilty (artificial environment can lead to low external validity), cause demand characteristics, low mundane realism because of artificial task |
What is a field experiment? | Experiment where IV is manipulated in more natural, everyday setting |
Evaluate a field experiment | Strengths: High mundane realism because of natural setting, Less chance of demand characteristics and high external validity Limitations: Low control of extraneous variables so low internal validity, cannot replicate, ethical issues |
What is a natural experiment? | Experiment where the researtcher uses a naturally-occuring IV e.g. gender |
Evaluate a natural experiment. | Strengths: Provide opportunities for research that would otherwise be ethically or practically possible e.g. institutionalised Roman orphans; |
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