Ch. 2 Research Flashcards
(23 cards)
Confound
A factor other than the independent variable that varies between the conditions of an experiment, thereby calling into question what caused any effects on the dependent variable
Independent Variable
A factor that experimenters manipulate to see if it affects the dependent variable
Dependent Variable
A factor that experimenters measure to see if it’s manipulated by the independent variable
Subject Variable
A variable that characterizes preexisting differences among the participants in the study
Control Group
A group that does not receive the treatment or manipulation and serves as a baseline for comparison
Random Assignment
A method of assigning participants to the various conditions of an experiment so that each participant has an equal chance of being in any of the conditions
Correlation Coefficient
A statistical measure of the strength and direction of the association between two variables (variable letter “r”, ranges from -1 to +1 where +1 is a positive relationship, 0 is no correlation, and -1 is a negative relationship)
Construct validity
The extent to which the measures used in a study measure the variables they were designed to measure and the manipulations in the experiment manipulate the variables they were designed to manipulate. (How well do job performance assessments evaluate employees’ job performance)
Internal validity
The degree of certainty that the independent variables caused the change in dependent variable in an experiment. (Lab experiment has high internal validity)
External validity
The degree to which there can be reasonable confidence that the results of a study would be obtained for other people in other situations (achieved thru mundane realism - how much an experiment can mirror a real-world environment)
What are the two things needed to have a good experiment?
- Must have control over events that occur
- Participants must be randomly assigned to conditions
Bogus pipeline technique
A procedure in which research participants are (falsely) led to believe that their responses will be verified by an an infallible lie detector.
Meta-analysis
A set of statistical procedures used to review a body of evidence by combining the results of individual studies to measure the overall reliability and the strength of particular effects.
Experimenter expectancy effects
The effects produced when an experimenter’s expectations about the results of an experiment affect their behaviour towards a participant and thereby influence the participant’s behaviour.
Informed consent
An individual’s deliberate, voluntary decision to participate in research, based on the researcher’s description of what will be required during such participation. Participants are allowed to withdraw from the study at any point in time.
Debriefing
Disclosure, made to participants after research procedures are completed, where the researcher explains the purpose of the research, attempts to resolve any negative feelings, and emphasizes the scientific contribution made by the participants’ involvement
Stanford Prison Experiment (1971)
Big ethics violation.
People were randomly assigned to be either a prisoner or a guard in order to demonstrate conformity to assigned roles.
Study was meant to last for two weeks but was shut down after six days after guards began abusing the prisoners.
Extremely emotionally damaging for all involved
Milgram Obedience Experiment (1961)
Ethics violation.
Participants were asked to deliver painful electric shocks to another person to demonstrate tendency to obey authorities. Many people continued to dutifully administer shocks, even if they believed they were harming another person.
Proves: people are highly likely to follow authority, even if it conflicts with personal morals
Deception
A method of research that provides false information to the participants
Confederates
An accomplice of an experimenter who, in dealing with real participants in an experiment, acts as if they are also a participant in the experiment
Mundane Realism
The degree to which an experimental situation resembles places and events in the real world
Experimental Realism
The degree to which experimental procedures are involving to participants and lead them to behave naturally or spontaneously
Interrater Reliability
The degree to which different observers agree on their observations
