RESEARCH METHODS

Question 1

What is an Experimental Method?

Answer 1

Involves the manipulation of the independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable.

Question 2

What are the 4 types of Experimental Methods

Answer 2

Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi

Question 3

What is an Aim?

Answer 3

A statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study.

Question 4

What is a Hypothesis?

Answer 4

A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between variables to be investigated.

Question 5

Directional Hypothesis?

Answer 5

States the direction of the difference or relationship.

Question 6

Non-Directional Hypothesis?

Answer 6

Does not states the direction of the relationship.

Question 7

What is a Variable?

Answer 7

Any ‘thing’ that can vary or change within an investigation.

Question 8

Independent Variable (IV)?

Answer 8

Some aspects of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher - so the effect on the DV can be measured.

Question 9

Dependent Variable (DV)?

Answer 9

The variable that is measured by the researcher.

Question 10

What is Operationalisation?

Answer 10

Clearly defining observable variables to enable the behaviour under investigation to be measured.

Question 11

Null Hypothesis?

Answer 11

States that the IV has no effect on the DV. It predicts no difference between the results from the condition of an experiment.

Question 12

What are Participant Variables and Situational Variables?

Answer 12

Participant variables are any individual differences between participants that may affect the DV.
Situational variables are any features of the experimental situation that may affect the DV.

Question 13

Extraneous Variables? (EV)

Answer 13

Any variable other than the IV, that may have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled.
Nuisance variables that do not vary systematically with the IV.

Question 14

What are Confounding Variables (CV)?

Answer 14

Any variable other than the IV, that may have an effect on the DV so we cannot be sure of the true source of changes to the DV.
They vary systematically with the IV.

Question 15

What are Demand Characteristics?

Answer 15

Any cue from the researcher/ research situation that may be interpreted as revealing the purpose of the investigation. This may lead to participants changing their behaviour within the research situation.

Question 16

Investigator effects?

Answer 16

Any effect of the investigators behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome (DV).

Question 17

What is Randomisation?

Answer 17

The use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias eh

Question 18

Independent Group Design?

Answer 18

Involves using different participants in each condition of the experiment.
- Participants should be randomly allocated to experimental groups.

Question 19

Repeated Measures Design?

Answer 19

This is when the same participants take part in all experimental conditions.
- The order of conditions should be counterbalanced to avoid order effects.

Question 20

Matched Pairs Design?

Answer 20

Two groups of participants are used but they are also paired on participant variables (age, gender, experience) that are relevant to the experiment.

Question 21

Strengths?
Independent Group Design

Answer 21

1. No order effects - participants are only tested once so they can’t become bored/tired
2. Will not guess the aim - participants are only tested once so unlikely to guess the aim. ‘natural behaviour’.

Question 22

Strengths?
Repeated Measures Design

Answer 22

1. Participant variables - the person in both conditions have the same characteristics. Controls CV
2. Fewer participants - half the number needed than in independant group desig. so less time is spent recruiting.

Question 23

Limitations?
Independent Group Design

Answer 23

1. Participant Variables - the ppl in the two groups are different, acting as EV & CV
2. Less Economical - Need 2x as many ppl as repeated for meaures for the same data.

Question 24

Limitations?
Repeated Measures Design

Answer 24

1. Order effects are a problem - ppl may do worse or better when doing similar task twice. Practice / Fatigue effects will increase or decrease the performance
   This reduces Validity
2. Participants will Guess the aim - May change behaviour & reduce validity

Question 25

Strengths? Matched pairs Design

Answer 25

1. Participant variables - ppl are matched on variables that are relevant to the experiment. This contols pv and enhances validity of results. 2. No order effects.

Question 26

Limitations? Matched Pairs Design

Answer 26

1. Matching is never perfect - time consuming, cant control relevant variables. Cant address all pv. there will still be differences. 2. More Partcicpants - need 2x as many ppl as repeated meaures for the same data. more time recruiting, more expensive..

Question 27

Laboratory Experiments?

Answer 27

These are conducted in a high;lying controlled environments where EV and CV can be regulated. Partcicpants for to the researcher. The IV is manipulated and the effect on the DV is recorded.

Question 28

Strengths of Lab Expt?

Answer 28

1. EV and CV can be controlled 2. Cause and effect can be established (validity) 3. Can be easily replicated

Question 29

Limitations of Lab Expt?

Answer 29

1. May lack generalisabiity (controlled environment may be artificial & ppl are aware they ae being studied) 2. Demand Characteristics may be a problem - the results of they experiment may be explained by the cues rather than the effect on the IV.

Question 30

Field Experiments?

Answer 30

* A natural setting * The researcher goes to the participants * The IV is manipulated & the effect on the DV is recorded.

Question 31

Strengths of Field Expt.

Answer 31

1. More natural environment - results may be more generlisable to everyday life. 2. Participants are unaware of being studied - greater external validity.

Question 32

Limitations of Field Expt?

Answer 32

1. More diffciult to control CVs - it is more difficult to establish cause and effect. 2. There are ethical issues - particpants may not have given informed consent, this is invasion of privacy.

Question 33

Natural Experiment?

Answer 33

* The experimenter does not manipulate the IV - someone/something causes the IV to vary. * DV may be naturally occuring (e.g exam results)

Question 34

Strengths of Natural Experiment?

Answer 34

1. May be the only practicle/ethical option. - casual research for topics 2. Greater external validity - involve real-life issues e.g a natural disaster on stress levels. - the findings are more relevent to real experiences.