Research Design Flashcards
independent variable
- the cause
- experimenter has control over it
example: treatment for depression
IV = type of treatment
DV = level of depression
dependent variable
- the effect
- the thing that changes in response to the independent variable
example: treatment for depression
IV = type of treatment
DV = level of depression
manipulated vs. non-manipulated IV’s
manipulated = 3 different kinds of treatment for depression
non-manipulated = men vs. women (pre-existing, cannot be changed)
true experiment
(types of research)
- at least one independent variable is manipulated and subjects are randomly assigned
example: comparing two types of treatment for anxiety
quasi-experimental
(types of research)
- at least one independent variable is manipulated, but there is non-random assignment of subjects
example: comparing two types of treatment for anxiety, and the groups are already pre-existing (ward A in a hospital vs. ward B)
observational/passive/non-experimental
(types of research)
- no interventions or manipulation of variables
example: studying the extent of cigarette smoking in males and females
between-group designs
(group designs)
- compares two independent groups
within subjects designs
(group designs)
- the groups being compared are correlated or related
counterbalancing
- each group starts with a different treatment or tasks in order to avoid carryover effects
example: Latin square
AB design
(single subject designs)
- baseline condition followed by a treatment condition
associated problem: history
ABAB design
(single subject designs)
- baseline condition, followed by treatment condition, then baseline condition again, then treatment condition again
associated problem: failure of return to baseline, ethical concerns around removing treatment that is helpful
example of a multiple baseline design across subjects
(single subject designs)
looking at the effect of medication on hyperactivity for 3 different children
example of a multiple baseline design across situations
(single subject designs)
applying an intervention to one problem behaviour (example: biting) in three different settings (home, school, park)
example of a multiple baseline design across behaviours
(single subject designs)
applying one intervention for three different problems in one subject (biting, head-banging, and rocking)
simultaneous treatment design
(single subject designs)
- two or more interventions are implemented during the treatment phase in a balanced format (example: alternating during the day and balancing across days)
