9.1.1 Experimental Methods

• What is the primary goal of experimental methods in psychology?

  Measure cause-and-effect relationships
• Experimental methods involve manipulating an independent variable to measure its effect on a dependent variable
• Why are experimental methods considered crucial in psychology?

  They establish cause-and-effect relationships
• Control over variables in experimental methods ensures reliable results.
• One advantage of experimental methods is that experiments can be repeated to verify findings
• Match the experimental component with its definition:

  Independent Variable ↔️ The variable manipulated by the researcher

  Dependent Variable ↔️ The variable measured to see the effect of the IV

  Control Variables ↔️ Factors kept constant to prevent affecting the DV

  Random Assignment ↔️ Assigning participants randomly to reduce bias
• What is the purpose of the experimental group in an experiment?

  Exposed to the IV manipulation
• Random assignment of participants to groups helps reduce bias
• What is the independent variable in a study examining the effect of caffeine on memory?

  Amount of caffeine consumed
• What is the dependent variable in a study examining the effect of caffeine on memory?

  Memory recall performance
• Controlled variables in an experiment are factors kept constant to ensure a fair test
• The independent variable is always measured in response to the dependent variable.

  False
• Arrange the advantages of experimental methods in order of their impact on research quality:

  1️⃣ Cause-and-Effect

  2️⃣ Control over Variables

  3️⃣ Replication
• Why are experimental methods crucial in psychology?

  Establish cause-and-effect relationships
• In experimental methods, cause-and-effect relationships are accurately determined by studying the effect of sleep on cognitive performance
• Minimizing the influence of extraneous factors is an advantage of experimental methods.
• What is meant by replication in experimental methods?

  Repeating experiments to verify findings
• In a study examining the effect of sleep on cognitive performance, the independent variable is the amount of sleep
• Ensuring all other factors are kept constant is necessary in experimental methods.
• Match the component of experimental methods with its definition:

  Independent Variable ↔️ Variable manipulated by the researcher

  Dependent Variable ↔️ Variable measured to see the effect of IV manipulation

  Controlled Variables ↔️ Factors kept constant to avoid influencing the DV
• There are three main types of experimental designs in psychology: independent groups, repeated measures, and matched pairs
• Order the characteristics of independent groups design:

  1️⃣ Participants are divided into separate groups

  2️⃣ Each group is exposed to different levels of the independent variable

  3️⃣ No overlap between groups

  4️⃣ Minimizes order effects
• Repeated measures design requires a smaller sample size than independent groups.
• What are extraneous variables in experimental methods?

  Factors that could influence the DV
• Control variables are factors kept constant
• What is the main goal of experimental methods?

  Measure effect of IV on DV
• Replication in experimental methods is crucial for verifying findings
• What is the independent variable in an experimental method?

  Variable manipulated by researcher
• The dependent variable is measured to see the effect of manipulating the independent
• Controlled variables are kept constant to avoid influencing the dependent variable.
• What are the independent and dependent variables in a study on caffeine and memory?

  Caffeine amount and memory test scores
• There are three main types of experimental designs in psychology: independent groups, repeated measures, and matched pairs.
• In a repeated measures design, order effects must be controlled to ensure accurate results.
• Why are matched pairs used in experimental designs?

  To minimize individual differences
• Control variables are factors kept constant to ensure only the independent variable affects the dependent variable.
• Extraneous variables are factors that could influence the dependent variable but are not the focus of the study.
• What does informed consent ensure in experimental ethics?

  Participants agree voluntarily
• Deception in experiments is only ethical if participants are fully debriefed about the true purpose after the study.
• Experimental methods can establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
• What is a common weakness of experimental methods?

  Artificiality