Experiments

Question 1

Name the three types of experiments

Answer 1

• laboratory experiments
• field experiments
• quasi (natural experiments)

Question 2

Define a lab experiment

Answer 2

IV is manipulated by the researcher, experiment carried out in a laboratory or another contrived (artificial) setting (away from participants normal environment)

Question 3

Define field experiments

Answer 3

IV is manipulated by the researcher, experiment carried out using the participants normal surroundings

Question 4

Define quasi experiments

Answer 4

The IV is naturally occurring, not manipulated by the researcher
(E.g cloudy/sunny conditions, morning/afternoon)

Question 5

What is an experimental design

Answer 5

Deciding how to allocate participants to the different conditions in the IV

Question 6

Name the three types of experimental designs

Answer 6

• repeated measures design
• Independent measures design
• matched participants design

Question 7

Define repeated measures design

Answer 7

Involves using the same people in each condition

Question 8

Define independent measures design

Answer 8

This involves using different people in each condition

Question 9

Define matched participants design

Answer 9

This involves using different people in each conditions but an attempt is make to make the participants have similar key characteristics (that might influence findings)

Question 10

Name 3 positives of a repeated measures design

Answer 10

• participant variables (e.g individual differences) are reduced
• potentially fewer people needed, saves time
• uses fewer participants, more cost-effective

Question 11

Name 2 negatives of repeated measures designs

Answer 11

• order effects can occur
  • practice effect (participants better the second time round)
  • fatigue effect (performance worse second time round because they are more tired

Question 12

Name 3 advantages of using Independent measures design

Answer 12

• avoids order effects (practice + fatigue)
• stops participants from guessing the aim of the study (prevents demand characteristics)
• potentially less time-consuming than matched participants and repeated

Question 13

Name 2 negatives of using independent measures design

Answer 13

• more people needed (time consuming to find)
• differences between participants in the group may affect results (eg extraneous variables such as participants variables)

Question 14

Name two advantages of matched participants design

Answer 14

• reduces participant variables (have similar characteristics and abilities)
• avoids order effects (counterbalance not necessary)

Question 15

Name three negatives of using matched participants design

Answer 15

• impossible to match people exactly
• very time consuming
• one participants drops out you lose the data of two

Question 16

What are extraneous variables

Answer 16

Variables that effect validity

Question 17

Name two extraneous variables

Answer 17

• participant variables
• situational variables