Research issues

• Extraneous variables-

  • unwanted variable
  • aimed to be identified before the experiment, and minimised their influence
  • e.g- lab lighting
• Confounding variables-

  • change systematically with the independent variable
  • unable to tell if there’s any change on the dependent variable due to the independent variable of confounding variable
• Demand characteristics-

  • clues of the experiment that may help the participants to rethink the experiment’s intentions
  • may lead to the participants to change their behaviour
  • please-U-effect or screw-U-effect
• Investigator effects-

  • any effects from the investigators behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the outcome
  • includes the design of the study, selection/interaction with participant's during the research period
• Randomisation-

  • use of chance methods to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of experimental conditions
• Standardisation-

  • using the exact same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research activity