experimental method

• What does the experimental method involve?

  Manipulation of an independent variable
• What is the purpose of the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?

  To have an effect on the dependent variable
• What are the types of experiments mentioned?

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

  A general statement of investigation purpose
• How are aims developed in research?

  From theories and similar research readings
• What is a hypothesis?

  A precise statement of variable relationships
• What distinguishes a directional hypothesis from a non-directional hypothesis?

  Directional states the relationship's direction
• When is a directional hypothesis typically used?

  When previous research suggests an outcome
• What is the independent variable (IV)?

  The manipulated aspect of the experiment
• What is the dependent variable (DV)?

  The aspect measured in the study
• Why must extraneous variables be controlled?

  To ensure the IV solely affects the DV
• What are the two conditions needed to test the IV's effect?

  Experimental condition and control condition
• What does operationalisation refer to?

  Defining variables in measurable terms
• How can a hypothesis be operationalised?

  By specifying measurable outcomes
• What are extraneous variables?

  Variables that affect the DV but aren't IV
• What is a confounding variable?

  A variable that systematically affects the DV
• What are demand characteristics?

  Cues that influence participant behavior
• What is participant reactivity?

  Changes in behavior due to awareness of study
• What is the 'Please-U effect'?

  Participants act as they think researchers want
• What is the 'screw-U effect'?

  Participants intentionally underperform in studies
• What do investigator effects refer to?

  Researcher influence on measured results
• How can randomisation help in research?

  Reduces bias from investigator effects
• What does standardisation ensure in research?

  Same procedures for all participants
• What are the strengths and limitations of laboratory experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High degree of control
  • Greater accuracy and replication

  
  

  Limitations:

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

  Strengths:

  • High ecological validity
  • Naturalistic behaviors observed

  
  

  Limitations:

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

  Strengths:

  • Controlled conditions allow replication
  • Likely high internal validity

  
  

  Limitations:

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

  Strengths:

  • High external validity with real-life issues
  • Opportunities for otherwise impossible research

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Rare natural events may not be replicable
  • Difficult to randomise participants into groups
• What is the main goal of controlling variables in an experiment?

  To ensure the IV affects only the DV
• Why is replication important in experiments?

  To verify results and increase reliability
• How do confounding variables complicate research conclusions?

  They obscure the true relationship between variables
• What is the role of ethical considerations in field experiments?

  To protect participant privacy and consent
• What is the significance of ecological validity in research?

  It reflects real-world applicability of findings
• How does the design of a study affect investigator effects?

  It can introduce bias in results interpretation
• What is the importance of randomisation in research design?

  It minimizes bias and enhances validity
• What does standardisation help eliminate in research?

  Non-standardised instructions as extraneous variables