Whole topic

• What does the experimental method involve?


  Manipulation of an independent variable (IV) to observe its effect on a dependent variable (DV).
• What are the types of experiments mentioned in the experimental method?


  Field, laboratory, quasi, and natural experiments.
• What is an aim in research?


  A general statement about what the researcher plans to investigate.
• How are aims developed in research?


  Aims are developed from theories and previous similar research.
• What is a hypothesis?


  A precise statement that describes the relationship between the variables being investigated.
• What are the two types of hypotheses?


  Directional and non-directional hypotheses.
• What would be a directional hypothesis regarding sleep and memory performance?


  "The more sleep a participant has, the better their memory performance."
• What would be a non-directional hypothesis regarding sleep and memory performance?


  "The difference in the amount of hours of sleep a participant has will affect their memory performance."
• When is a directional hypothesis typically used?


  When previous research suggests a particular outcome.
• What is the independent variable (IV)?


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


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


  To ensure that any effect on the DV is due solely 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 the variables in terms of how they are measured.
• How can a hypothesis be operationalised?


  By specifying measurable outcomes, such as test scores.
• What are extraneous variables?


  Variables that are not the IV but can affect the DV.
• What are confounding variables?


  Variables that systematically change with the IV and affect the DV.
• How can a confounding variable affect the results of a study?


  It can obscure the true relationship between the IV and DV.
• What are demand characteristics?


  Cues that make participants guess the aim of the investigation.
• What is participant reactivity?


  When participants change their behavior due to cues from the researcher.
• What is the 'Please-U effect'?


  When participants act in a way they think the researcher wants.
• What is the 'screw-U effect'?


  When participants intentionally underperform to sabotage results.
• What are investigator effects?


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


  The use of chance to reduce bias in the study.
• What is standardisation in research?


  Using the same 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 replication

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Experimenter's bias can 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

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Rare natural events may limit replicability
  • Difficult to randomise participants
• What is opportunity sampling?


  Recruiting participants who are conveniently available at the time of the study.
• What are the strengths and limitations of opportunity sampling?


  Strengths: Easy and time-saving; Limitations: Not representative and researcher bias.
• What is random sampling?


  Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.
• What are the strengths and limitations of random sampling?


  Strengths: No researcher bias; Limitations: Time-consuming and volunteer bias.
• What is systematic sampling?


  Selecting every nth member from the sampling frame.
• What are the strengths and limitations of systematic sampling?


  Strengths: Avoids researcher bias; Limitations: Not truly unbiased without randomisation.
• What is stratified sampling?


  A method where the sample reflects the proportions of subgroups in the population.
• What are the strengths and limitations of stratified sampling?


  Strengths: No researcher bias and produces representative data; Limitations: Time-consuming and not fully representative.
• What is volunteer sampling?


  Participants self-select to take part in the study.
• What are the strengths and limitations of volunteer sampling?


  Strengths: Quick access to willing participants; Limitations: Volunteer bias and motivations may affect results.
• What are the strengths and limitations of independent groups design?


  Strengths:

  • No order effects
  • Less likely to guess study aims

  
  

  Limitations:

  • No control over participant variables
  • Requires more participants