Research Methods

• What is operationalisation

  the way in which variables have been put into practice so they can be measured
• What is an independant variable


  the factor you change (manipulate)
• What is an dependant variable

  the factor you measure
• What is an extraneous variable

  irrelevant variables which are under investigation
• What is a confounding variable

  an extreneous factor that interferes with the experiments iv and dv
• What are labatory experiments


  highly controlled experiments normally carried out in artificial settings (lab) reasearcher manipulated iv
• Strengths of labatory experiments

  1. Controlled environment improves internal validity and reliability
  2. Controlled settings allow use of technical measuring equipment
• Weaknesses of laboratory experiments

  1. Demand characteristics and experimenter bias can alter validity
• What are field experiments


  Carried out in the real word settings with realistic stimuli meaning less controlled, researcher manipulates iv
• Strengths of a field experiment

  1. Behavior in real life settings raises ecological valididity
  2. Reduction of demand characteristics improves validity of research
• Weaknesses of field experiments

  1. lack of control over iv manipulations rases potential for confounding variables
  2. Can raise ethical issues if ps covertly recorded in a public place
• What is a natrual or quasi experiment?

  Experiment where iv isnt controlled by researcher participants natrually fall into catogries
• Strengths of natrual or quasi experiments

  1. Allows the study of behaviours not possible with true experimental methods
• Weaknesses of natrual or quasi experiments

  1. Lack of control over iv manipulations raises potential for confounding variables
• Matched Pairs


  A research design where participants are paired together based on specific criteria to minimize extraneous variables and increase internal validity
• Independent Groups


  A research design where participants are randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group to investigate the causal effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable
• Repeated Measures

  A research design where the same people are measured or tested at different times