AQA A-level Psychology research methods Set 2

what is a field experiment

experiments carried out in the natural environment of the pts e.g. at school in order to improve realism

is the IV manipulates in a field experiment

yes - to produce a change in the DV

what are the advantages of a field experiment

research is more realistic as it is carried out in the natural environment

produces a change in the DV as the IV is manipulated

what are the disadvantages of a field experiment

less control over EV’s which may affect results

more difficult to replicate due to the nature of the method

what are natural experiments

the researcher exploits naturally occurring differences in the IV - not directly manipulating

is a natural experiment a true experiment

no-pts have not been randomly assigned

what is a quasi experiment

the researcher uses a pre-existing IV relating to pts differences e.g. age which cant be manipulated

advantages for natural and quasi experiments

reduction in demand characteristics as pts MAY be unaware

allows you to study effects on behaviour of IV’s

disadvantages of natural and quasi

loss of control as the IV is not being DIRECTLY manipulated

Pts aren’t being randomly assigned so results may be due to differences in pts NOT IV

what does standardised procedure mean

every pts is treated the same so should have a set of instructions to read aloud to pts so they get same info

what are standardised instructions

Identical directions given to all participants to reduce bias.

what is the control of EV’s

EV’s should be controlled so we can ensure the IV is as a result of the DV

what are investigator effects

influence of a researcher whereby their expectations of the results influence the results without them realising

what is a pilot study

small scale trial run of the procedure

what is randomisation

reducing wherever possible , the researchers influence on the design

what is a research aim

general statement of the purpose of an investigation

what’s an example of a research aim

“to see” “to investigate”

what is a hypothesis

a prediction of what will happen, must be precise and testable about the expected outcome

what is a null hypothesis

states there will be no changes in conditions / no effect on IV or DV / no relationship

what is an alternative hypothesis

alternative to the null and is a prediction that there WILL be A difference / effect (can be directions/non)