experiments

• What is an experiment?

  A research situation where the researcher has a high degree of control
• What is the purpose of manipulating variables in an experiment?

  To discover cause and effect relationships
• What are the two main types of experiments in quantitative data?

  Laboratory experiments and field experiments
• What characterizes a laboratory experiment?

  It tests a hypothesis under controlled, created environments
• What is a field experiment?

  An experiment tested in the real world where participants are usually unaware
• What is the experimental group in an experiment?

  The group exposed to the variable under investigation
• What is the control group in an experiment?

  The group not exposed to the variable under investigation
• Why is a control group important in an experiment?

  It helps determine which changes are due to the intervention
• In which fields are laboratory experiments predominantly used?

  Natural sciences like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
• How are laboratory experiments used in social sciences?

  They are mostly used in psychology for various studies
• What does the scientific method logic state about experiments?

  Experiments offer controlled settings for precise measurements
• What was the aim of Harvey and Slatin's laboratory experiment?

  To investigate teachers' preconceived ideas about pupils of different social classes
• What did Harvey and Slatin find regarding teacher ratings?

  Lower-class children were rated less favorably by more experienced teachers
• What is the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?

  The variable that causes a change in the dependent variable (DV)
• What is the dependent variable (DV) in an experiment?

  The variable that is affected by the independent variable
• What characterizes field experiments?

  They take place in participants' natural environments
• What is an example of a field experiment?

  Evaluating teaching methods in a school
• Why are field experiments more common in sociology?

  Because sociologists often avoid the artificial nature of lab experiments
• What was the aim of Rosenthal and Jacobson's study?

  To measure the effect of high teacher expectations on pupils' performance
• What was the procedure in Rosenthal and Jacobson's study?

  Pupils were given an IQ test, and 20% were randomly selected as 'spurters'
• What were the findings of Rosenthal and Jacobson's study?

  The spurters gained 12 IQ points compared to an average of 8
• What does the "Pygmalion effect" refer to?

  People tend to perform better when treated as if they are capable of success
• What is the comparative method in research?

  Comparing and analyzing similarities and differences between social groups
• What is the aim of the comparative method?

  To identify patterns, trends, and causal relationships across comparisons
• What was Durkheim's hypothesis in his study of suicide?

  Low levels of integration cause high rates of suicide

  
• What were the findings of Durkheim's study of suicide?

  Catholics had lower suicide rates than Protestants
• What are the key differences between field and laboratory experiments?

  • Field experiments occur in natural settings; laboratory experiments in controlled settings.
  • Participants in field experiments are often unaware; in lab experiments, they know they are part of research.
• What are the steps in the comparative method?

  1. Identify two groups alike in all major respects except one variable.
  2. Compare the two groups to see if the difference has any effect.