research methods

• What does the experimental method involve?

  The manipulation of an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable.
• What is an aim in research?

  A general statement about what the researcher plans to investigate.
• What is a hypothesis?

  A clear, precise, testable statement that describes the relationship between variables being investigated.
• When is a directional hypothesis typically used?

  When previous research suggests a particular outcome related to the investigation.
• What is the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?

  The variable that is manipulated by the researcher.
• What is the dependent variable (DV) in an experiment?

  The variable that is measured and is affected by changes in the IV.
• Why is it important to control extraneous variables in an experiment?

  To ensure that any effect on the DV is solely due to the IV.
• What are the two conditions needed to test the effect of the IV?

  The experimental condition and the control condition.
• What does operationalisation of variables mean?

  Clearly defining variables in terms of how they are measured.
• What are extraneous variables?

  Variables that are not the IV but may affect the DV and do not vary systematically with the IV.
• What are confounding variables?

  Variables other than the IV that systematically affect the DV, making it difficult to determine the cause of the effect.
• What are demand characteristics?


  Cues that may lead participants to guess the aim of the investigation, affecting their behavior.
• What is the 'screw-U effect'?

  When participants intentionally underperform to sabotage the study's results.
• How do demand characteristics affect research validity?

  They can lead to unnatural behavior, affecting the validity of the results.
• What are investigator effects?

  Unwanted influences from the researcher’s behavior on the DV measured.
• What is randomisation in research?

  The use of chance to reduce bias from investigator effects.
• What is standardisation in research?

  The use of the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants.
• What are the strengths and limitations of laboratory experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High degree of control over variables
  • Greater accuracy and replicability

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Experimenter's bias may affect results
  • Low ecological validity due to artificial settings
• What are the strengths and limitations of field experiments?


  Strengths:

  • High ecological validity due to natural settings
  • Controlled IV

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Ethical concerns regarding privacy
  • Loss of control over extraneous variables
• What are the strengths and limitations of quasi-experiments?


  Strengths:

  • Controlled conditions enhance replicability
  • Likely to have high internal validity

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Cannot randomly allocate participants
  • Potential confounding variables present
• What are the strengths and limitations of natural experiments?


  Strengths:

  • Opportunities for research that would be impossible otherwise
  • High external validity due to real-life issues

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Rare natural events may limit replicability
  • Difficult to randomise participants
• What is a pilot study?

  A small-scale version of an investigation conducted before the main study.
• What is the purpose of a pilot study?

  To identify potential problems and modify the procedure before the main study.
• What is a single-blind procedure?

  A method where participants do not know if they are receiving a test or control treatment.
• What is a double-blind procedure?

  A method where neither participants nor researchers know who receives a particular treatment.
• What is the purpose of a control group?

  To set a baseline for comparison with the experimental group.
• What are the strengths and limitations of observational techniques?


  Strengths:

  • Naturalistic observation captures real behavior
  • Useful for studying phenomena in real-life contexts

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Observer bias may affect results
  • Lack of control over variables
• What is the main goal of the experimental method?

  To determine the cause-and-effect relationship between variables.
• Why is it important to identify and control confounding variables?

  To ensure that the IV is the only factor affecting the DV.
• What is the importance of replicability in research?

  It allows researchers to verify results and confirm findings.
• What is the relationship between ecological validity and laboratory experiments?

  Laboratory experiments often have low ecological validity due to artificial settings.
• What is the impact of ethical considerations in field experiments?

  Field experiments may raise ethical concerns such as invasion of privacy and lack of informed consent.
• Why is it important to conduct a pilot study before the main research?

  To identify potential problems and refine the research procedure.
• How do single-blind and double-blind procedures help reduce bias?

  They prevent participants and/or researchers from knowing treatment conditions, reducing demand characteristics and investigator effects.
• What is the significance of a control condition in an experiment?

  It provides a baseline for comparison to assess the effect of the IV.
• What is the role of operationalisation in research?

  It ensures that variables are clearly defined and measurable.
• What is the importance of standardisation in research?

  It ensures that all participants receive the same instructions and conditions, reducing variability.
• what is random allocation?

  An attempt to control for participant variables by using chance to assign participants to conditions.
• What is a double-blind procedure?

  A research procedure where neither the participants nor the experimenter knows who is receiving a particular treatment.
• Why are double-blind studies particularly useful?

  They prevent bias due to demand characteristics or the placebo effect.