Lesson 1- Experimental Methods

Question 1

Independent variable

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Dependant variable

Answer 2

the variable that is being measured.

Question 3

Extraneous variables

Answer 3

any variables other than the IV that can affect the DV.

Question 4

Control condition

Answer 4

a baseline or standard for comparison where the independent variable is absent or held constant

Question 5

Operationalisation

Answer 5

When variables must be defined and stated how it will be measured

Question 6

Laboratory experiments

Answer 6

Carried out in controlled environment
High IV control, eliminates any EV
Pps are randomly allocated to a condition (no bias)
Artificial setting

Question 7

Advantage 1 of lab experiments- control

Answer 7

High level of control on IV
More likely to collect valid data as no EV

Question 8

Advantage 2 of lab experiments- replicated

Answer 8

Can be easily replicated by other researchers
Can see if similar results are obtained, and therefore if they are reliable

Question 9

Disadvantage 1 of lab experiments- demand characteristics

Answer 9

Easy for pps to figure out its fake
Change behaviour accordingly
Some pps behave in a more positive way (social desirability)

Question 10

Disadvantage 2 of lab experiments- mundane realism

Answer 10

Lack mundane realism due to high control
Doesn’t have ecological validity, so cannot generalise findings to wider world

Question 11

Field experiment

Answer 11

Carried out in real world/natural setting
IV is still manipulated or controlled

Question 12

Advantage 1 of field experiment- mundane realism

Answer 12

More mundane realism and eco validity
Reflects real life

Question 13

Advantage 2 of field experiments- less demand characteristics

Answer 13

Pps might not even be aware they are being studied
So will behave more naturally and therefore more valid results gained

Question 14

Disadvantage 1 of field experiments- EV

Answer 14

More chance for EV compared to lab experiments
The effect of thr dependant variable may not be caused by the IV but by EV
Not valid research

Question 15

Disadvantage 2 of field experiments- less control

Answer 15

Less control over sample
So may not be representative of the target population

Question 16

Natural experiments

Answer 16

Researcher takes advantage of a naturally occurring incident
Variables aren’t directly manipulated
Finding pps who already meet the conditions of the experiment

Question 17

Advantage 1 of natural experiments- mundane realism

Answer 17

High mundane realism and eco validity compared to lab

Question 18

Advantage 2 of natural experiments -good for unethical situations

Answer 18

It is good when it is impossible to manipulate the iv/sample in a lab or field experiment as it is would be damaging

Question 19

Disadvantage 1 of natural experiments- hard to replicate

Answer 19

Often very unreliable and if thr experiment was repeated it’s unlikely the same results would be gained again

Question 20

Disadvantage 2 of natural experiments- cause + effect

Answer 20

Hard ro determine cause and effect due to low levels of control
If A causes B or B causes A

Question 21

Quasi experiments

Answer 21

Naturally occurring independent variable
The IV is a difference between ppl that already exists (gender, age)
Usually to study the natural difference between ppl
Usually lab setting

Question 22

Advantage 1 of quasi experiment- control

Answer 22

High level of control
Experimenter can be more confident that the IV is what affected the DV

Question 23

Advantage 2 of quasi experiments- replication

Answer 23

Easy to replicate due to strict controls
You can therefore test the reliability of findings easily

Question 24

Disadvantage 1 of quasi experiments- lacks ecological validity

Answer 24

Artificial experiments
Doesn’t reflect real life behaviour

Question 25

Disadvantage 2 of quasi- demand characteristics

Answer 25

Pps may accurately or inaccurately guess the aim of the study Data collected + results may be invalid