research methods

• what is an extraneous variable?

  any variable other than the independent variable that may affect the dependent variable.
• what are confounding variables?

  a type of EV that varies systematically with the iv, therefore we can't tell if any change in the DV is due to the iv or the confounding variables.
• what are demand charaterisitics?

  a cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of an investigation.
• what is randomisation?


  Randomisation is the process of assigning participants or subjects to different groups or conditions in a study randomly, to ensure unbiased and fair allocation.
• what is standardisation?


  using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study.
• what is operationalisation?


  clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measures.
• what is experimental design?

  the different ways in which participants can be organised in relation the experimental conditions.
• online idependent group design

  participants are split up into 2 groups and each only experience one level of IV. the mean score is then compared.
• outline repeated measure


  All participants experience all levels of IV and then the 2 mean scores from both conditions would be compared.
• Outline matched pairs 


  Participants would be paired up based on a trait relevant to the study and then split into different conditions. e.g IQ in a memory study.