Research Methods

• What are the different types of experiments discussed in the video?

  Laboratory, Field, Natural, and Quasi experiments
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of laboratory experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High control over variables
  • High internal validity
  • Highly replicable

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low external validity
  • Lacks ecological validity
  • Lacks mundane realism
  • Demand characteristics may affect behavior
• What is the main principle of a laboratory experiment?

  The experimenter has full control over the experiment's conditions.
• What is the independent variable in a laboratory experiment?

  The factor that is changed between conditions.
• Why is it important to control variables in a laboratory experiment?

  To ensure that any changes in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable.
• If a researcher changes the color of light in a room to study its effect on recall, what is the independent variable?

  The color of light in the room.
• What is the definition of observation in research?

  Observation is researchers watching and recording behaviour as it happens.
• What factors influence the type of observation a researcher might choose?

  The type of observation may depend on the research question being investigated.
• What does high internal validity in a lab experiment indicate?

  That the observed effect is likely due to the manipulation of the independent variable.
• What is a controlled observation?

  A controlled observation is when the researcher controls the situation participants experience and records their behaviours in a lab setting.
• What is one advantage of controlled observations?

  Controlled observations reduce the effects of extraneous variables on participants' behaviour.
• What is ecological validity?

  The extent to which findings can be generalized to real-world settings.
• What are the two self-report techniques covered in the video?

  Questionnaires and interviews
• What is a significant weakness of controlled observations?

  The environment is artificial, which may not reflect participants' natural behaviour.
• What are demand characteristics in a laboratory experiment?

  When participants change their behavior because they know they are being studied.
• What is a self-report technique?

  A research technique where participants knowingly respond to questions revealing personal information about themselves
• What is a naturalistic observation?

  A naturalistic observation involves observing participants in their normal environment.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of field experiments?

  Strengths:

  • Increased external validity
  • More naturalistic behavior
  • Higher mundane realism
  • Reduced demand characteristics

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lack of control over extraneous variables
  • Reduced internal validity
  • Difficulty in random assignment
• What is an interview in the context of self-report techniques?

  A real-time conversation with a researcher, usually face-to-face, over the phone, or via text message
• Where are field experiments typically conducted?

  In natural settings like shopping centers, workplaces, or schools.
• What can analyzing two sets of data for a correlation reveal?

  Potential relationships between the sets and the strength of those relationships
• What is a questionnaire?

  A list of pre-prepared questions sent to participants for them to fill out and return
• What does the term "correlation coefficient" refer to?

  A numerical measure of the strength and direction of a correlation
• How does a correlational study differ from an experimental study?

  In a correlational study, the researcher does not manipulate any variables
• What are co-variables in a correlation?


  Variables that a researcher has measured and then compares
• Give an example of co-variables that could be measured in a correlational study.

  Age and IQ
• What is a natural experiment?

  An experiment where the independent variable has already occurred naturally.
• What is one advantage of naturalistic observations?

  Naturalistic observations have high realism, as participants behave as they normally would.
• What is the difference between open and closed questions?

  Open questions allow any response, while closed questions provide limited options
• What is a scattergram used for in correlational studies?

  To display the data collected by the researcher
• How would you plot a correlation on a scattergraph?


  By plotting data pairs on an X and Y axis
• What does a positive correlation indicate?

  When one co-variable increases, the other co-variable also increases
• What is a negative correlation?

  When one co-variable increases and the other decreases
• What does zero correlation mean?

  There is no relationship between the co-variables
• Why might a researcher choose to conduct a natural experiment?

  To study phenomena that cannot be ethically manipulated in a lab setting.
• How can the strength of a correlation be described?

  As weak, moderate, strong, or perfect
• What is the range of values for a correlation coefficient?

  From -1 to 1
• What does a correlation coefficient of 0.8 or higher indicate?

  A strong correlation
• What type of data do open questions provide?

  Qualitative data in the form of words
• What is a disadvantage of naturalistic observations?

  The lack of control may lead to unknown extraneous variables affecting behaviour.