Experiments Flashcards
experimentation
deliberate manipulation of (at least) one variable to determine its effect
how are causes and effects isolated?
through controlled experimentation
Ingredients for a true experiment
hypothesis, variables (independent and dependent), control
experimental condition
includes the treatment that the researcher hypothesizes to have some effect
control condition
serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment
dependent variable
the outcome we are measuring
double-blind procedure
research staff and subject are blind to the study details
placebo control conditions
letting someone think that they are being given a condition even though they are in a control situation
True Experiments Advantages
- the only research method capable of yielding conclusions about cause-effect relationships
- the only research method that controls for competing explanations of changes observed on the outcome measures (dependent variables)
True Experiments Disadvantages
- some independent variables cannot be manipulated
- in real world behavior is determined by many causes – tough to study more than one or two at a time
- can never PROVE cause and effect relationship, you can only find evidence for it
case study
observing and gather information to compile an in-depth study of ONE individual
naturalistic observation
gathering data about behavior by watching
surveys and interviews
having other people report on their own attitudes and behavior
case study advantages and disadvantages
advantages
- starting point for research
- helps identify relevant variables, hypotheses
disadvantages
- may be unrepresentative of the population
- often retrospective
- no control; no cause-and-effect conclusions possible
observational technique
a technique that consists of observing and recording the behavior of organisms
types of observational techniques
- naturalistic
- participant
- laboratory
observational technique advantages and distadvantages
advantage
- may permit observation in natural setting
disadvantage
- subjects may show reactivity to being observed
- hard to eliminate subjectivity
- no control
surveys advantages and disadvantages
advantages
- assess attitudes and opinions from many respondents
- convenient
disadvantages
- findings depend on representativeness of sample, and on wording of questions
- relies on self-report
- no control
correlational research
examines the relationship between two variables (measured, not manipulated)
