experimental method

Question 1

theory

Answer 1

a theory is a suggested explanation for behaviour

Question 2

aim

Answer 2

an aim is a general statement that explains the purpose of the study

Question 3

independent variable

Answer 3

the variable is manipulated or changed to see an effect on the DV

Question 4

dependent variable

Answer 4

the variable that is measured by the researchers, any effect on the DV should be due to the change in the IV

Question 5

directional hypothesis

Answer 5

a researcher makes clear the sort of difference (e.g. increase, decrease, less more higher, lower) to see on the DV

Question 6

non directional hypothesis

Answer 6

states that there will be a difference but the nature is not specified

Question 7

null hypothesis

Answer 7

a statement that there is no difference between the variables being testsed

Question 8

lab experiment

Answer 8

an experiment that takes place in a highly controlled environment

Question 9

field experiment

Answer 9

an experiment that takes place in a natural setting

Question 10

natural experiment

Answer 10

an experiment where the IV is not brought about by the researcher but naturally

Question 11

quasi experiment

Answer 11

an experiment that uses a naturally-occurring difference (e.g. male/female, age, ethnicity)

Question 12

strength of lab experiment

Answer 12

reliable- standardised procedures and control over extraneous variable
high in internal validity- control over EV allows for a cause and effect relationship

Question 13

limitations of lab experiment

Answer 13

low internal validity- study takes place in artficial setting- lead to demand characteristics
low external validity- findings are not representative of a real life situations

Question 14

strength of field

Answer 14

high internal validity- no demand characteristics as study is in a natural environment
high external validity- task will be representative of everyday situations so findings can be generalised

Question 15

limitation of field

Answer 15

unreliable- no standardised procedures so researchers cant repeat the study to get the same findings
low internal validity-as the researcher is unable to control EV and cant establish cause and effect

Question 16

strength of natural

Answer 16

high external validity- involve real life scenarios

Question 17

limitations of natural

Answer 17

cant generalise findings- no control

Question 18

evaluation of quasi

Answer 18

same as lab

Question 19

experimantal design

Answer 19

refers to how ppts are allocated to the different conditions in an experiment

Question 20

in what experimental design are participant variables an issue

Answer 20

independent groups

Question 21

what experimental design are order effects an issue

Answer 21

repeated measures

Question 22

order effects

Answer 22

the order in which the conditions have an effect on the ppts behaviour

Question 23

how do we control for order effects

Answer 23

we counterbalance by alternating the order in which ppts perform in diff conditions of an expriment

Question 24

strength of independent groups

Answer 24

no order effects
less chance of demand characteristics because ppts only do one condition

Question 25

limitation of independent groups

Answer 25

more ppts are needed which is consuming and expensive ppts variables have not been controlled, so we are less likely to establish cause and effect relationship

Question 26

strength of repeated measures

Answer 26

less ppts ar needed as the same ppts complete all conditions- cheap and savs time ppts variables are controlled

Question 27

limitations of repeated measures

Answer 27

demand characteristics mor likely to occur order effects will occur

Question 28

strength of matched pairs

Answer 28

order effects have been removed less chance of demand characteristics participant variables are controlled for

Question 29

limitations of matched pairs

Answer 29

matching the ppts on one key variable is time consuming and expensive it is impossble to match the ppts exactly meaning there are still ppt variabls affecting findings

Question 30

random sampling

Answer 30

get sampling frame, which outlines the names of the people in the target people-sample selected by chance

Question 31

systematic sampling

Answer 31

get the sampling frame, which outlines the name of everyone in the target population and choose a Nth number, every Nth person is selected

Question 32

stratified sampling

Answer 32

the researcher sorts the population (by gender, class, age etc.) then pick a fair number from each group at random

Question 33

opportunity sampling

Answer 33

selecting people who are most easily available at the time of the study

Question 34

volunteer sampling

Answer 34

the volunteers selct themselves (after seeing the study advertised)

Question 35

strengths of random sampling

Answer 35

no chance of researcher bias

Question 36

limitations of random sampling

Answer 36

doesnt guarantee a representative sample so findings cant be generalised. maybe time consuming

Question 37

strength of opportunity sampling

Answer 37

method is quick and easy

Question 38

limitations of opportunity sampling

Answer 38

has researchr bias sample may not reflect the wider population so findings cant be generalised

Question 39

strength of systematic sampling

Answer 39

quick and easy

Question 40

limitation of systematic sampling

Answer 40

doesnt guarantee a represntative sample- findings cant be generalised. may be time consuming

Question 41

strength of stratified sampling

Answer 41

increases generalisation as the sample is proportionate to the target population. reduces researcher bias

Question 42

strength of volunteer sampling

Answer 42

no researcher bias quick and easy

Question 43

limitations of volunteer sampling

Answer 43

may attract a certain type of individual- so unrepresentative

Question 44

how can we control demand characteristics

Answer 44

single blind technique- make the ppt unaware of the aims of the study

Question 45

investigator effects

Answer 45

the investigator influences how the ppts behave in the study

Question 46

how can we control investigator effects

Answer 46

double blind technique- neither the ppt or investigatior know what is happening in the study. randomisation- whenever possible attempts to use chance to reduce investigator effects

Question 47

what does DRIPP stad for

Answer 47

Deception, Right to withdraw, Informed consent, Protection from harm, Privacy

Question 48

What must you include in a consent form

Answer 48

1. must address the ppt directly 2. must state what they are required to do 3.must refer to confidentiality and right to withdraw 4. must be a place for students to sign and date

Question 49

what must you include in a debrief form

Answer 49

1. aim 2. details of what they had to do 3. details of the other conditions 4. ethical issues: right to withdraw, confidentiality, welfare check 5. thank them