EXPERIMENAL METHOD

• AIMS

  general expression of what the researcher intends to investigate
• operationalised hypothesis

  A statement of what the researcher believes to be true. It should be operationalised- clearly defined and measurable
• directional hypothesis

  states whether changes are greater or lesser, positive or negative. used when theory/research suggests the direction
• non-directional hypothesis

  doesn't state the direction, just that there is a difference. used when no theory/research or evidence is contradictory
• independent variable and dependent variable

  researcher causes the IV to vary and records the effect on the DV
• Extraneous variable

  any variable not being investigated that has the potential to affect the study
• confounding variable

  variable that changes systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure is any change to the DV is because of the CV or IV
• demand characteristics

  any cue from the researcher or situation that may reveal the aim of the study and change behaviour
• investigator effects

  any effect of the investigators behaviour on the outcome of the research
• randomisation

  use of chance when designing investigations to control for the effects of bias
• standardisation

  using exactly the same formalised procedures for all participants
• pilot studies

  small scale trial run of an investigation. so the research design can be modified
• single and double blind trial

  single blind- participant doesnt know aims of the study so demand characteristics are reduced

  double blind- both participant and researcher don't know the aim of the study to reduce demand characteristics and investigator effects
• participant variables

  the characteristics of the participant
• Situational variables

  characteristics of the situation
• order effects

  happen when participants are tested more than once. can lead to a difference in performance through practice or boredom