Research issues Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is an extraneous variable?
Variables other than the independent variable that could affect the participant’s.
The researcher will find ways to eliminate these extraneous variables.
What is a confounding variable?
This refers to (extraneous) variables that were not controlled by the researcher. Not being able to control individual differences.
What are demand characteristics?
Participant reactivity is a significant extraneous variable in experimental research and one that is very difficult to control. Certain clues (demand characteristics) of the experimental situation may help a participant to ‘second guess’ the experimenter’s aims of the study.
What are investigator effects?
Investigator effects occur when the researcher unconsciously influences the outcome of the research. This can affect the validity of the results.
What is expectancy effects?
The researcher subtly communicates their expectations (e.g. tone, body language), which influences participant behaviour.
What is design bias?
The way the study is designed may reflect researcher bias (e.g. leading questions.
What is recording bias?
The researcher may unconsciously record or interpret data in a biased way.
How to control investigator effects with double-blind design?
Neither the participants nor the person collecting the data knows the hypothesis or condition allocation.
How to control investigator effects with standardised procedures?
Using he same instructions, materials, and procedures for all participants to reduce influence.
What is randomisation?
Randomisation is the use of chance procedures to eliminate bias in the design of an experiment. It’s a control method to deal with order effects and researcher bias.
When is randomisation used?
- Allocating participants to conditions using random number generators to assign to experimental or control groups
- Randomising the order of tasks in a repeated measures design to avoid order effects like fatigue or practise.
Why is randomisation important?
Ensures internal validity - makes it less likely that results are due to systematic bias, removes extraneous variables.
What are examples of the standardisation?
- Instructions
- Environment
- Materials
- Timing
What is standardisation?
Standardisation means keeping all aspects of the research procedure the same for every participant, except for the IV.
Why is standardisation important?
It increases reliability - the procedure can be replicated exactly.
Reduces extraneous variables - ensures differences in results are due to the IV not other factors.
What are the practical issues of randomisation and standardisation?
In real-world research, it’s hard to completely eliminate all investigator effects or perfectly randomise tasks.
What is a limitation of double-blind designs?
May not always be possible due to ethical or logistical constraints.
