RESEARCH METHODS - Experimental Methods

Question 1

Independent variable

Answer 1

variable that the researcher manipulates in order to determine its effect on the dependant variable

Question 2

Control condition

Answer 2

a standard against which experimental conditions can be compared

Question 3

Dependant variable

Answer 3

variable that is being measured

Question 4

Extraneous variable

Answer 4

any variables other than the independant variable that COULD affect the dependant variable

Question 5

Confounding variable

Answer 5

any variables other than the independant variable that HAVE affected the dependant variable

Question 6

Laboratory experiment

Answer 6

when an experiment is carried out in a controlled, artificial environment allowing the researcher to exert a high level of control over the IV and eliminate any EV

Question 7

Advantages of laboratory experiment

Answer 7

• There is a high level of control over the IV and conditions so it is easy to account for any EV and preventing them from becoming CV
• The researcher can manipulate the IV and can establish a cause and effect relationship between the DV and IV
• A lab experiment can easily be repeated by other researchers to see if similar results can be obtained. If the findings are similar to the original study then the results are reliable.

Question 8

Disadvantages of laboratory experiment

Answer 8

• Demand characteristics may occur within the study, where the participants in the study might guess what the aim of the study is and therefore change their behaviour purposefully meaning the data collected from them becomes invalid.
• Having a high level of control over variables in an artificial setting means the situation can lack mundane realism which means the lab study does not have ecological validity.

Question 9

Field experiment

Answer 9

an experiment carried out in the real world or in a natural setting rather than an artificial setting but the IV is still manipulated by the researcher.

Question 10

Advantages of field experiements

Answer 10

• There is more mundane realism and ecological validity than in a lab study
• The researcher can manipulate the IV and establish a cause and effect relationship between it and the DV
• There is less chance of demand characteristics happening in a field experiment as a opposed to a lab study; participants may not be aware that they are taking part in a study and so will behave more naturally

Question 11

Disadvantages of field experiments

Answer 11

• There is less control over extraneous variables when compared to a lab study therefore the effect on the dependant variable may not be caused by the independent variable but by extraneous variables; the research is not valid
• There is less control over the sample therefore the sample may not be representative of the target population

Question 12

Natural experiments

Answer 12

the researcher takes advantage of a naturally occuring IV to see its effect on the DV. this study measures variables that are not directly manipulated by the researcher

Question 13

Advantages of natural experiements

Answer 13

• High level of mundane realism and ecological validity compared to lab studies
• Useful when it is impossible or unethical to manipulate the IV/sample in a lab or field experiment

Question 14

Disadvantages of natural experiments

Answer 14

• Low control over extraneous variables compared to a lab study
• Very difficult to replicate and so are often unreliable and if the experiment was conducted again it is very unlikely the same results would be obtained again
• They are difficult to determine cause and effect due to low levels of control

Question 15

Quasi experiments

Answer 15

contain a naturally occuring IV which is a difference in people which already exists e.g. gender. commonly take place in a lab setting.

Question 16

Advantages of quasi experiments

Answer 16

• There is a high level of control and the effects of extraneous variables are minimised so the researcher can be sure it was the IV which affected the DV
• It is easy for other psychologists to replicate the experiment to test reliability of findings

Question 17

Disadvantages of quasi experiments

Answer 17

• There is a lack of ecological validity because artificial experiments may not be a reflection of real life behaviour
• Demand characteristics may be an issue which can affect the validity of the findings.