Experimental Research methods Flashcards
Laboratory,Field,Natural,Quasi experiments (46 cards)
Cause-and-effect relationships:
a connection between two events where one event (the cause) directly leads to the other event (the effect).
Control Groups
in laboratory experiments:
A control group does not receive the treatment or manipulation given to the experimental group.
This allows for comparison and helps assess the effect of the IV.
Control in laboratory experiments:
Control means using methods to reduce outside factors that could affect the results, so any changes are only due to the variable being tested.
Dependent Variable (DV):
Something that is measured following manipulation of the IV.
Direct Manipulation of Independent Variable
In a laboratory experiment
the researcher actively changes or controls the independent variable to see how it affects the dependent variable.
External Validity:
how well the results of a study can be generalized to real-world situations, including other people, places, or times.
Extraneous Variable:
An unwanted variable that adds error to an experiment.
Field Experiment:
a scientific study that is conducted outside of a controlled laboratory setting, in a real-world environment.
How are participants often matched in quasi-experiments?
age, educational background, or gender.
How are quasi-experiments and natural experiments related?
They are often used interchangeably; natural experiments can be considered a type of quasi-experiment.
How do field experiments compare to laboratory experiments?
Like laboratory experiments, field experiments manipulate the independent variable to find a causal relationship.
In the context of the Stroop effect, what typically takes longer: reading colors or naming colors?
naming colours
In what type of setting do field experiments typically take place?
In a natural setting.
What are investigation effects and demand characteristics?
They refer to how the setup of a study can influence how participants behave, making them act differently than they normally would.
Independent Variable (IV):
The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.
Laboratory Experiment:
controlled investigation conducted in a lab where variables are manipulated to observe their effects.
Natural Experiment:
Studies where the experimenter cannot manipulate the independent variable.
Participants often behave in artificial ways:
act different ways than usual because of the setting
Quasi Experiment:
an experiment where participants cannot be randomly assigned to experimental and control groups.
Randomisation :
In laboratory experiments
Participants are randomly placed in different groups to reduce bias and make groups comparable, which helps spread out any confounding variables.
Reduced ecological validity:
The findings may not apply to real-life situations.
reduction in demand characteristics:
minimising clues in a study that might lead participants to alter their behaviour based on what they think the researchers want. This helps ensure more natural responses.
What are field experiments?
Controlled studies that take place in a natural setting.
what are the strengths of field experiments?
Cause-and-effect relationships can be uncovered.
Higher levels of ecological validity than a true experiment.
Reduction in demand characteristics.
