Experimental Methods

Question 1

What is an experimental method? Give an example.

Answer 1

A method where the independent variable is manipulated to have an effect of the dependent variable.
Field, laboratory, quasi, natural

Question 2

What is an aim?

Answer 2

The purpose of study
A general statement made by the researcher developed from theories and similar research.

Question 3

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 3

a prediction or testable statement which shows the relationship between two variables.

Question 4

What is a directional hypothesis and when is it used?

Answer 4

A hypothesis that states the direct relationship that will be shown between the two variables
It is used when there is already a range of research carried out.
E.g the more Sleep a ppt has the better their memory performance.

Question 5

What is a non directional hypothesis and when is it used?

Answer 5

A hypothesis that does not state the direct relation is that will e shown between the two variables.
It is used when no previous research has been carried out
E.g.
The difference in the amount of hours of sleep a ppt has will have an effect on their memory preformance which will be shown by the difference in the memory test scores of the ppts.

Question 6

what is an experimental group?

Answer 6

A group of ppts who experience the manipulated IV.

Question 7

what is a control group?

Answer 7

A group of ppts who do not experience the manipulated IV.

Question 8

What is operationalising?

Answer 8

clearly operationalising the IV and the DV.
Clearly specify the set of behaviours or conditions being manipulated and measured.

Question 9

What is an extraneous variable?

Answer 9

An additional or unwanted variable which may interfere with the DV.

Question 10

What is situational variables?

Answer 10

a variable that may affect the ppts behaviour these can be environmental aspects like light, noise and temperature.

Question 11

What are participant variables?

Answer 11

The differences between two groups e.g. their mood, intelligence or anxiety.

Question 12

what are experimenter variables?

Answer 12

Unconsciously alluding to how ppts should behave. (experimenter bias)

Question 13

What are demand characteristics?

Answer 13

Clues in the experiment which convey to the ppt the research purpose. e.g. their surroundings.

Question 14

What are cofounding variables?

Answer 14

When the extraneous variable has an impact on the IV and effects the DV.

Question 15

Define a laboratory experiment.
(ADV + DISADV)

Answer 15

An experiment that takes place in a special environment /controlled setting.
ADV
high levels of control
DISADV
Low ecological validity.

Question 16

Define a field experiment.
(ADV + DISADV)

Answer 16

An experiment conducted in a more natural environment but with variable still being well controlled.
ADV
Naturalistic- more natural behaviours hence high ecological validity.
DISADV
Ethical considerations-invasion of privacy and likely to have been no informed consent.

Question 17

Define a natural experiment.
(ADV + DISADV)

Answer 17

Takes place in a natural setting. If experimenter is not there the experiment will still go on earthquake.
ADV
high external validity-dealing with real life issues.
DISADV
Rare events- Natural occurring events may not happen all the time so it is hard to generalise the findings. Experiment is not replicable.

Question 18

Define a Quasi experiment.
(ADV + DISADV)

Answer 18

An experiment whereby the IV has not been determined by the researcher. It naturally exists e.g. gender
ADV
Controlled conditions-
it can be replicable hence likely to have high internal validity.
DISADV
Cannot randomly allocate ppts-> may be some cofounding variables ->harder to conclude that the IV caused the DV.