research methods

    Cards (337)

    • What is the Independent Variable in a laboratory experiment?

      The Independent Variable is manipulated.
    • How is the Independent Variable reflected in a laboratory experiment?
      It is reflected in the conditions of the experiment.
    • What should you identify regarding the Independent Variable?
      You should identify all levels of the Independent Variable.
    • What is the Dependent Variable in a laboratory experiment?
      The Dependent Variable is measured.
    • What should you state precisely about the Dependent Variable?
      You should state precisely what is measured, i.e., how the variable is being scored.
    • What should be done with Extraneous Variables in an experiment?
      Any Extraneous Variables should be controlled.
    • What are Extraneous Variables?
      Extraneous Variables are variables that are not the Independent Variable that could impact on the Dependent Variable.
    • What is the aim of an experiment?
      The aim of an experiment is to establish a cause and effect relationship between the manipulation of the Independent Variable and the changes in the Dependent Variable.
    • Why is the control of extraneous variables important in an experiment?

      It is important to ensure that they do not impact the Dependent Variable.
    • What are extraneous variables?

      Extraneous variables are factors that can affect the dependent variable but are not the independent variable.
    • What are participant variables?

      Participant variables include factors such as participants’ age, intelligence, and ability.
    • What are situational variables?
      Situational variables refer to the experimental setting and surrounding environment, such as temperature, lighting, and noise levels.
    • What are experimenter variables?
      Experimenter variables include the personality, appearance, and conduct of the researcher.
    • How can experimenter variables affect research outcomes?
      Experimenter variables can lead to different results based on the researcher's characteristics, such as gender.
    • What happens if an extraneous variable has a systematic effect on the dependent variable?
      If an extraneous variable has a systematic effect on the dependent variable, it becomes a confounding variable.
    • What is an example of a confounding variable?
      An example of a confounding variable is the length of words used in a study investigating whether noise affects memory.
    • Why is it important to control extraneous variables in an experiment?
      It is important to control extraneous variables to ensure that any differences in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable.
    • How can the length of words in a memory study become a confounding variable?

      If the researcher does not control the length of the words used, longer words may be more difficult to remember, affecting the results.
    • What could happen if the extraneous variable of word length is not controlled in a noise memory study?

      Differences in the number of words recalled may not be due to the independent variable (noise) but instead due to the extraneous variable (length of words).
    • What is the dependent variable in the study investigating noise effects on memory?
      The dependent variable is the number of words recalled.
    • What is the independent variable in the study investigating noise effects on memory?
      The independent variable is the presence or absence of noise.
    • How does the presence of a confounding variable affect the interpretation of an experiment's results?
      A confounding variable can lead to incorrect conclusions about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
    • What does operationalisation mean in research?
      Defining the variables precisely, including how the IV will be manipulated and how the DV will be measured.
    • How can memory be operationalised in a study?
      As the number of words remembered from a list.
    • How can aggression be operationalised in a study?
      As scores in an anger questionnaire.
    • What are the key characteristics of field experiments?
      • The IV is manipulated
      • The DV is measured
      • Conducted in the participants’ natural environment
    • Give an example of a field experiment.
      Conducting an experiment on noise and memory in the students’ normal classroom.
    • What are the key characteristics of natural experiments?
      • Naturally occurring changes in the IV are observed and recorded
      • The DV is measured
      • Conducted in the participants’ natural environment
    • Provide an example of a natural experiment.
      Recording the noise level in the classroom and then measuring the students’ memory.
    • What was the task in the Piliavin study?

      • Identify the type of experiment
      • Identify the IVs and DVs
    • What was the setting of the Piliavin study?
      The study took place on New York subway trains.
    • What did the researchers do in the Piliavin study?
      They collapsed on subway trains, either pretending to be ill or drunk.
    • What was measured in the Piliavin study?

      How many people came to help the researchers who collapsed.
    • What is a quasi experiment?

      A quasi experiment is where an independent variable (IV) cannot be manipulated.
    • Why might an independent variable not be manipulated in a quasi experiment?
      It may be due to practical or ethical reasons.
    • What is still measured in a quasi experiment?
      The dependent variable (DV) is still measured.
    • What types of independent variables are often involved in quasi experiments?
      Naturally occurring independent variables such as gender, age, ethnicity, or weather.
    • What is a natural experiment?

      A natural experiment is a subtype of quasi experiment.
    • Can quasi experiments take place in a laboratory setting?
      Yes, they can take place in a laboratory setting.
    • What ethical issues do quasi experiments avoid?
      They avoid ethical issues surrounding the manipulation of the independent variable.
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