Research Methods

• What is manipulated by the researcher in lab experiments?

  The independent variable (IV)
• Why are extraneous variables controlled in lab experiments?

  To ensure that the IV can be inferred to have an effect on the DV
• How are participants allocated in lab experiments?

  Participants are randomly allocated
• Why is it necessary for participants to be picked randomly or experience all conditions?

  To eliminate bias and ensure that results are valid
• What is manipulated in field experiments?

  The independent variable (IV) is manipulated
• How does the environment of a field experiment differ from that of a lab experiment?

  The experiment is carried out in a more natural environment
• What is the relationship between the IV and the DV in lab experiments?

  The IV has an effect on the DV
• What are the advantages of controlling extraneous variables in lab experiments?

  • Allows inference of cause and effect
  • Validates that the IV does have an effect on the DV
  • Greater control of variables enhances replicability
• What does replication in lab experiments check for?

  Validity and reliability
• What is a key evaluation point regarding demand characteristics in field experiments?

  There is a lack of demand characteristics as participants are in their natural environment
• What does high internal validity in a field experiment indicate?

  Participants might not guess the aim of the study
• What is a disadvantage of lab experiments regarding the tasks and environment?

  They involve artificial tasks in an artificial environment, limiting generalization to real life
• Why does conducting a field experiment in a natural environment lead to high ecological validity?

  Because the dependent variable (DV) is more realistic
• What are demand characteristics in the context of lab experiments?


  They are cues that may lead participants to guess the aim of the experiment
• What is a limitation of field experiments regarding extraneous variables?

  Extraneous variables can’t be controlled, making it difficult to establish cause and effect
• How can demand characteristics affect internal validity?

  They can reduce internal validity by influencing participant behavior
• What does the inability to control general variables in field experiments imply?

  We can’t replicate the study to check for reliability and validity
• What is a potential negative outcome of manipulating the IV in lab experiments?

  It can lead to psychological harm for the participants
• What is an ethical issue associated with field experiments?

  The independent variable (IV) is manipulated
• What are the key evaluations of field experiments?

  • Lack of demand characteristics due to natural environment
  • High internal validity as participants may not guess the study's aim
  • High ecological validity due to realistic dependent variable
  • Difficulty in establishing cause and effect due to uncontrolled extraneous variables
  • Inability to replicate the study affects reliability and validity
  • Ethical concerns regarding manipulation of the independent variable
• Quasi experiment

  • The difference is always pre-existing no matter what the condition is 

  Evaluation for quasi: If it is set in controlled conditions, then evaluate using lab or if it is set in a realistic environment, evaluate using field

  • There is only one exception for the quasi evaluation: there is no Iv being manipulated, for example, lab and field conditions would need to create high stress and ow stress but quasi allow a more gentle process for selecting such as asking for stress levels and allocating into correct conditions
• What is the independent variable (IV) in natural experiments?

  The IV is not manipulated but occurs naturally.
• How does the environment affect natural experiments?

  Natural experiments are conducted in a natural environment.
• What is the dependent variable (DV) in natural experiments?

  The DV is a measure of natural behavior.
• What are the advantages of natural experiments?

  • High ecological validity, generalizes to real life
  • Lower risk of demand characteristics
  • High internal validity
  • No ethical harm as IVs are not manipulated
• Why do natural experiments have lower risk of demand characteristics?

  Participants cannot guess the aim of the study as the environment is natural.
• What is a potential disadvantage of natural experiments regarding extraneous variables?

  There is lower control of extraneous variables.
• What is a consequence of lower control of extraneous variables in natural experiments?

  It leads to less inference of cause and effect.
• Can natural experiments prove that the IV has an effect on the DV?

  No, they cannot definitively prove that the IV has an effect on the DV.
• What is a repeated groups design in research?


  The same participants are used in one condition.
• Why can cause and effect be inferred in a repeated groups design?


  Because all participant variables are kept constant due to the same participants being in each condition.
• What potential issue may arise from using the same participants in both conditions of a repeated groups design?


  Order effects may occur, leading to boredom or reduced effort.
• How can order effects be mitigated in a repeated groups design?


  By using counterbalancing.
• What are demand characteristics in the context of a repeated groups design?


  They are likely to occur as participants experience both conditions and are exposed to both parts of the independent variable.
• What challenge is associated with ensuring the difficulty of tests in a repeated groups design?


  Difficult tests are needed for each condition, and they must be of the same difficulty, which is nearly impossible.
• What implication does the difficulty of tests have on the independent variable's effect on the dependent variable?


  If the tests are not of the same difficulty, the independent variable may not have an effect on the dependent variable.
• What do correlations use to plot co-variables against one another?


  Scatter graphs
• What does correlations measure?

  The strength of the relationship between co-variables
• How can correlations be useful in research?


  They can explore relationships and suggest further research
• What is a matched pairs design in research?


  Participants are matched on important characteristics that may affect performance.