6.5.1 Experimental Methods

• What is the purpose of experimental methods in criminological psychology?

  Establish cause-and-effect relationships
• Experimental methods in criminological psychology involve manipulating an independent variable to measure its effect on a dependent variable.
• A rehabilitation program can serve as an independent variable in an experimental study.
• What is the role of the independent variable in an experimental design?

  Manipulated by the researcher
• In experimental designs, the dependent variable is the outcome being measured.
• Why is random assignment important in experimental designs?

  Equal distribution of variables
• A control group does not receive the experimental treatment in a study.
• What is one advantage of experimental methods in criminological research?

  Establish causation
• Researchers can control confounding factors to ensure observed effects are due to the manipulation of the independent variable.
• Why is replication important in experimental methods?

  Enhances reliability of results
• Random assignment to a CBT group can reduce aggression levels in juvenile offenders.
• What is one ethical concern in experimental methods in criminology?

  Minimizing harm
• Experiments in controlled settings may lead to low ecological validity because they do not reflect real-world situations.
• What is an example of an ethical dilemma in criminological experiments?

  Withholding a promising program
• Coercion occurs when participants feel pressured to participate in a study.
• Informed consent requires participants to understand the study's purpose, procedures, and potential risks before agreeing to participate.
• What is the purpose of confidentiality in criminological research?

  Protect participant data
• What is informed consent in criminological research?

  Understanding purpose, risks, benefits
• Confidentiality in research means information shared by participants is kept private
• Participants in a study have the right to withdraw at any time without penalty.
• What is coercion in criminological research?

  Pressure to participate
• Bias in research occurs when preconceptions influence study design or data interpretation
• Experimental methods in criminological psychology aim to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
• What is random assignment in experimental designs?

  Allocating participants randomly
• A control group in an experiment does not receive the experimental treatment
• Experimental methods allow researchers to control for extraneous variables.
• What is replication in experimental research?

  Confirming findings through repetition
• Artificial environments in experiments may reduce ecological validity.
• Limited generalizability in experimental findings reduces external validity.
• Match the ethical principle with its description:

  Informed Consent ↔️ Understanding risks and procedures

  Confidentiality ↔️ Keeping information private

  Minimizing Harm ↔️ Avoiding physical or psychological harm

  Voluntary Participation ↔️ Right to withdraw without penalty
• What was the key finding of the hot spot policing study?

  Reduced crime rates
• Restorative justice conferences have been shown to reduce reoffending rates.