QASS_4_-_Experiments Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is an experiment?
Research method that observes people’s reactions to certain treatments
What are treatments in an experiment?
Specific conditions given to subjects, which can include:
* Medical experiments (medication, vaccines, substances)
* Social experiments (situations, events, therapies, activities)
What is an explanatory variable?
A variable that affects another one; in experiments, it is the treatment
What is a response variable?
A variable that is affected by the explanatory variable
Identify the explanatory variable in the question: ‘Does procrastination affect academic performance?’
Procrastination
Identify the explanatory variable in the question: ‘How efficient is the RRO vaccine in preventing measles?’
RRO vaccine
Identify the explanatory variable in the question: ‘How is the prevalence of performance anxiety influenced by the length of exams?’
Length of exams
Identify the explanatory variable in the question: ‘Does wearing a helmet help preventing brain injuries?’
Wearing a helmet
What is a lurking variable?
A variable other than the explanatory variable that impacts the response variable
Identify a possible lurking variable in the question: ‘Does procrastination affect academic performance?’
Study habits
Identify a possible lurking variable in the question: ‘How efficient is the RRO vaccine in preventing measles?’
Patient health status
Identify a possible lurking variable in the question: ‘How is the prevalence of performance anxiety influenced by the length of exams?’
Student preparation
Identify a possible lurking variable in the question: ‘Does wearing a helmet help preventing brain injuries?’
Type of activity
What is a placebo?
A fake treatment
What is the placebo effect?
When a subject responds to the placebo
What is a one-track experiment design?
A single treatment is given to all subjects
What is a control group?
A group of subjects receiving a placebo during an experiment
What is an experimental group?
A group that receives a treatment during an experiment
What is a randomized comparative experiment?
Groups are compared, including a control group, and subjects are randomly assigned
What is a block design in experiments?
A design where subjects are grouped based on known similarities expected to affect the response to treatment
What does statistical significance indicate?
A big difference in outcome between the experimental group and the control group, suggesting the treatment works
What are lab experiments?
Experiments where researchers create an artificial situation and control the explanatory variable(s)
What are two advantages of lab experiments?
Good control on lurking variables and easier observation and measurement
What are two disadvantages of lab experiments?
Possible altered behaviors and low external validity
