Research Methods

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


  Lab, Field, Natural, and Quasi experiments
• What is the main principle of a laboratory experiment?


  The experimenter has full control over what happens in the experiment
• What are variables in a lab experiment?


  Factors that are controlled and do not vary between conditions
• What is the independent variable in an experiment?


  The factor that changes between the conditions
• What is the dependent variable in an experiment?


  The variable that is measured to see the effect of the independent variable
• How might changing the color of light in a room affect an experiment?


  It could influence the recall of numbers
• What is a strength of lab experiments regarding cause and effect relationships?


  They allow for confidence in suggesting a cause and effect relationship
• What does high internal validity in lab experiments mean?


  What they have measured is true and due to the change in the independent variable
• What is a disadvantage of lab experiments related to external validity?


  They may not generalize to real-world environments
• What is meant by ecological validity?


  The extent to which findings can be generalized to real-world settings
• What is mundane realism?


  The extent to which tasks used in an experiment resemble real-world tasks
• What are demand characteristics in a lab experiment?


  When participants change their behavior because they know they are being studied
• What is the main advantage of field experiments over lab experiments?


  They are conducted in real-world settings, increasing ecological validity
• What is a disadvantage of field experiments related to control?


  They lack control over extraneous variables
• What are extraneous variables?


  Variables that may change the measurement of the dependent variable
• What is the difference between a natural experiment and a lab experiment?


  A natural experiment measures changes in the dependent variable that have already occurred naturally
• What is a strength of natural experiments?


  They allow research in areas that could not be studied otherwise
• What is a disadvantage of natural experiments regarding cause and effect relationships?


  There may be other factors influencing the dependent variable
• What is a quasi-experiment?


  An experiment where participants cannot be randomly assigned to conditions
• What is a strength of quasi-experiments?


  They are the only way to study certain factors like age or gender
• What are confounding variables?


  Factors that change systematically between conditions and cannot be controlled
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of laboratory experiments?


  Strengths:

  • High internal validity
  • High replicability
  • Confidence in cause and effect relationships

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lack of external validity
  • Lack of ecological validity
  • Demand characteristics may affect behavior
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of field experiments?


  Strengths:

  • Increased external validity
  • Higher ecological validity
  • More naturalistic behavior

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lack of control over extraneous variables
  • Reduced internal validity
  • Difficulty in random assignment
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of natural experiments?


  Strengths:

  • Research in ethically sensitive areas
  • High external validity
  • No demand characteristics

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lack of control over variables
  • Uncertainty in cause and effect relationships
  • Difficult to replicate
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of quasi-experiments?


  Strengths:

  • Only way to study certain factors
  • Useful for real-world applications

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Potential confounding variables
  • Lack of random assignment
• What will the video on research methods in psychology cover?


  The video will cover various observation types and their strengths and weaknesses.
• What is the definition of observation in research?


  Observation is researchers watching and recording behaviour as it happens.
• What are the two main types of observation researchers can choose from?


  Researchers can choose between controlled and naturalistic observation.
• What is a controlled observation?


  A controlled observation is when the researcher controls the situation participants experience and records their behaviours.
• What is an advantage of controlled observations?


  They reduce the effects of extraneous variables and provide reliable results.
• What is a major weakness of controlled observations?


  The environment is artificial, which may not reflect natural behaviour.
• What is a naturalistic observation?


  A naturalistic observation involves observing participants in their normal environment.
• What is the advantage of naturalistic observations?


  They provide high realism and external validity.
• What is a disadvantage of naturalistic observations?


  The lack of control may lead to unknown extraneous variables affecting behaviour.
• What is the difference between overt and covert observation?


  In overt observation, participants know they are being observed; in covert observation, they do not.
• What is a key ethical consideration in overt observation?


  Participants need to give their informed consent to take part in the research.
• What is a major weakness of overt observation?


  Participants may change their behaviour due to knowing they are being observed, leading to demand characteristics.
• What is a covert observation?


  A covert observation is when participants do not know they are being observed.
• What is a disadvantage of covert observation?


  It can be argued to be unethical because participants have not given informed consent.
• What are the two types of observational techniques researchers can choose from?


  Researchers can choose between participant and non-participant observation.