Unit 3: Chapter 7-Control

Question 1

What does the concept of control mean in experimental research?

Answer 1

any means used to rule out threats to the validity of research

Question 2

Distinguish between the meanings of control: control experiment or experimental control

Question 3

List several specific strategies for achieving control

Answer 3

1) Within subject control (subect is their own control)
2) random assignment (between subject control)
3) matching (between subject control)
4) Building Nuisance Variables into the Experiment

Question 4

List 3 reasons to use a within subject design

Answer 4

1. Using subjects as their own controls is logically possible.
2. Participating in all conditions of the experiment will not destroy the
   naiveté of the subject.
3. Serious contrast effects between conditions will not be present.

Question 5

Briefly describe the strategy of subject as own control. What are the limitations of this strategy?

Question 6

What is matching a strategy for acheiving control? What are the limitations of this strategy?

Question 7

Briefly describe building nuisance variables in an experiment a strategy for achieving control?

Question 8

How is statistical control used as a strategy for achieving control?

Answer 8

It informs the initial design of the experiment by asking the experimenter to do things like get a big enough sample size

Question 9

What is replication? Distinguish between two types of replication: direct and systematic

Answer 9

“Two types of replication are commonly distinguished: direct and system- atic. Direct replication occurs when someone repeats essentially the identical experiment in an attempt to obtain the same results. Systematic replication occurs when Researcher B says, “If A’s theory is correct, then the following should happen.” Then B performs an experiment different from A’s but based on it.”

Question 10

Define within subject experimentation

Answer 10

research design in which each subject ex- periences every condition of the experiment

Question 11

between subject experiment

Answer 11

research design in which each subject experiences only one of the conditions in the experiment

Question 12

Define nuisance

Answer 12

a condition in an experiment that cannot easily be removed and so is made an independent variable as a means of control
(using night & day students as participants)