Research Methods Flashcards
(54 cards)
Define lab experiments
Defined by the high control the researcher has over the variables in the study
The experimenter will control environmental factors e.g. noise, temp and the experience each ppt has using standardised procedures
What happens to the DV and IV in lab experiments?
The IV is changed(manipulated) by the researcher between the condition of the experiment. Any change in the DV will be measured while all other variables are kept consistent
What are 3 advantages of lab experiments?
-by holding all variables outside of the IV and DV consistent researchers can be confident in establishing a cause and effect relationship between IV and DV
-high internal validity, meaning observed change in DV is due to change in IV
-lab studies are easily replaced due to the use of standardised procedures
What are 3 disadvantages of lab experiments ?
-lab studies can lack ecological validity so findings can’t be applied to the real world
-tasks performed in a lab don’t reflect tasks in real life situations lowering external validity
-ppt known there in a study so alter their behaviour to match aim
Define field experiments
Conducted in a naturalistic setting
How are the variables affected in field experiments ?
Independent variable is still changed by the researcher and dependant variable measured
What are 3 advantages of field experiments?
-ppts should behave more naturally so more likely their behaviour can be applied to other naturalistic environments (ecological validity )
-tasks are more likely to have mundane realism
-less likely to show demand characteristics
What are 2 disadvantages of field experiments ?
-lack control over extraneous variables which could influence the measurement of dependant variable
-difficult to randomly assign ppt in separate conditions resulting in change in dv which could be due to ppt variables reducing internal validity
Define natural experiments
Will have occurred naturally without the influence of the researcher. The researcher simply records the change in the dv and 2 levels of iv
How are the variables affected in a natural experiment?
Iv isn’t changed but dv is measured
What are 2 advantages of natural experiments?
-allow research in areas that couldn’t happen in controlled examination during it ethical or cost reasons
-high in external validity as natural experiments are examples of real behaviour occurring in the real world free of demand characteristics
What are 2 disadvantages of natural experiments?
-extraneous variables can’t be controlled so they can’t establish a cause and effect relationship
-often rare events can cant be replicated exactly too test for reliability
Define quasi experiments
Ppts cant be randomly assigned between levels of iv often cause the iv in an innate characteristic of the ppt
What is an advantage of quasi experiments?
Quasi experiments are the only way to experimentally study factors that are pre existing charatcertcos of ppt
What is a disadvantage of quasi experiments?
There may be other factors related to the levels of iv that cant be controlled for these change systematically between the levels of iv after the measurement of the dependant variables these are known as confounding variables
Define observation
A non experimental technique where the researcher observers natural behaviour without manipulating IV
Define controlled observation
Aspects of the environment are controlled in an attempt to give ppts the same experience
What are 2 advantages of controlled observations
-controlling the environment reduced the likely hood of extraneous variables being responsible for observed behaviour
-results are reliable as they’re using standardised procedures
Define naturalistic observation
Takes place in the real world
What are two advantages of naturalistic observation?
-high realism and ppts are more likely to show naturalistic behaviour
-external validity, behaviour is more likely to be generalisable to other situations
Define overt observation
The ppts can see the researcher and are aware their behaviour is being observed
What are advantages of overt observations?
-ethical as you can gain informed consent
What is a disadvantage of overt characteristics?
-demand characteristics might change behaviour as they know they’re being observed
-social desirability bias as people may act to look good
Define participant observation
The researcher joins the group being observed and takes part in the groups activities
