Key Terms

• Describe the experimental method.

  Studies cause and effect relationships. Researcher manipulates one value to effect other value. Variables are operationalised. Patients are allocated to conditions. Standardisation. IV compared to control condition.
• What is the difference between a extraneous and confounding variable?

  A extraneous variable might affect the DV if the experiment is not well controlled. A confounding variable is an extraneous variable that systematically varies with the IV and does effect the DV.
• What are order effects and how can they be solved?

  In repeated measures where practise effects (improve when repeating) or boredom effects (worse as less effort) occur. This can be solved by counter balancing where the group is spilt into 2 and complete the conditions in different orders.
• What are demand characteristic?

  When participants try to understand the research and change their behaviour to support it.
• What is ecological validity?

  A measure of how well the experiment reflects the real world.
• What is mundane realism?

  A measure of external validity that shows the extent to which the findings can be generalised in the real world.
• What is a target population?

  A large group of people the researcher wishes to study that are generalised.
• What is social desirability bias?

  When participants choose the response that shows them in a positive light.
• What is the difference between a double and single blind procedure?

  Double blind is used in drug trials where participants or researcher dont know the experiments true aims. In a single blind study only the participants are unaware of the true aims and this is often used in repeated measures.
• How can you overcome social desirability bias?

  Change the sampling technique and target population. Give participants anonymity and confidentiality.
• What should be used to prevent the researcher having a influence on participants?

  Double blind procedure.
• How can u reduce demand characteristics?

  Use a single blind procedure and conduct in a field study.
• What is high experimental realism?

  The extent to which the findings can be generalised to real life.