Experimental methods Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is the experimental method?
A research method where the researcher manipulates an independent variable (IV) to observe its effect on a dependent variable (DV), while controlling extraneous variables.
What is a lab experiment?
An experiment conducted in a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the IV.
What is a field experiment?
An experiment conducted in a natural setting where the researcher still manipulates the IV.
What is a natural experiment?
An experiment where the IV changes naturally, not manipulated by the researcher.
What is a quasi-experiment?
A study with a naturally occurring IV that cannot be randomly assigned (e.g., gender, age).
What is an independent groups design?
Different participants are used in each condition of the experiment.
What is a repeated measures design?
The same participants take part in all conditions of the experiment.
What is a matched pairs design?
Participants are paired based on relevant variables, and each member is assigned to a different condition.
What is a strength of lab experiments?
High control over variables increases internal validity and replicability.
What is a strength of field experiments?
High ecological validity as behavior is studied in a natural setting.
What is a strength of repeated measures design?
Requires fewer participants and reduces participant variability.
What is a limitation of lab experiments?
Artificial setting may lead to demand characteristics and low ecological validity.
What is a limitation of field experiments?
Less control over extraneous variables, making replication difficult.
What is a limitation of independent groups design?
Participant variables may affect results as different people are used in each condition.
What is a limitation of natural experiments?
Cannot randomly allocate participants, reducing control and internal validity.
What is an aim in psychological research?
A general statement setting out what the researcher intends to investigate, developed from theories.
What is a hypothesis?
A clear, precise, and testable statement predicting the relationship between two variables.
When is a directional hypothesis used?
When previous research or theory suggests the outcome will go in a particular direction.
When is a non-directional hypothesis used?
When there is no previous research or the evidence is contradictory, so no direction is predicted.
What is an independent variable (IV)?
An aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher or changes naturally.
What is a dependent variable (DV)?
The variable measured by the researcher; any effect should be caused by changes in the IV.
What is operationalisation?
Defining variables in terms of how they can be measured, ensuring clarity and precision.
What is an extraneous variable?
A variable other than the IV that may affect the DV if not controlled, but does not vary systematically with the IV.
What is a confounding variable?
A variable that varies systematically with the IV and may affect the DV, confusing the source of changes.
