Counterbalancing and observational methods (5)

Research methods and statistics lecture 5

What is the main goal of an experimental study?

The goal is to gain new insights and test causal claims.

What is a confounding variable?

A confounding variable is an extraneous variable that influences the results of a study.

How can participant characteristics affect experimental results?

Participant characteristics can confound results by leading to systematic differences between groups

What is meant by "expectancy effects"?

Expectancy effects occur when participants expect a certain result and unconsciously affect the outcome.

Why is it important to deal with confounding variables?

It's important to minimize their influence to ensure the validity of the study's results.

What is participant allocation?

Participant allocation is the process of assigning participants to different groups in a study.

What is a Natural Group Design?

Natural Group Design uses naturally occurring groups

How do matched groups work in experimental design?

Matched groups are formed by pairing participants based on certain characteristics

What is random allocation in research?

Random allocation assigns participants to groups randomly to control for extraneous variables.

What are order effects in within-subject designs?

Order effects occur when the order of conditions affects participants' responses

What is counterbalancing in research design?

Counterbalancing is a method used to control for order effects by varying the sequence of conditions.

What are the two main types of counterbalancing?

The two main types are block randomization and presenting conditions in a random sequence.

What is naturalistic observation?

Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior as it occurs naturally without intervention.

What are the advantages of naturalistic observation?

It has high external validity and allows researchers to study complex social situations.

What are the disadvantages of naturalistic observation?

It is time-consuming and primarily descriptive

What is participant observation?

Participant observation involves the researcher actively engaging with the group being studied.

What are the ethical considerations of covert participant observation?

There may be ethical issues related to privacy and the informed consent of participants.

What is structured observation?

Structured observation involves setting up a situation to observe specific behaviors in a controlled manner.

How is data recorded in structured observation?

Data is recorded using checklists or coding schemes.

What is a field experiment?

A field experiment is a controlled experiment conducted in a natural environment.

What defines a good observational study?

A good observational study has high inter-rater reliability

How can observer bias be minimized?

Observer bias can be minimized by using "blind" observers who are unaware of hypotheses and group allocations.

What is the Hawthorne effect?

The Hawthorne effect refers to changes in behavior that occur when participants know they are being observed.

What are unobtrusive measurements?

Unobtrusive measurements are ways to assess behavior without participants being aware of the observation.

What is an archival data?

Archival data refers to existing records that researchers can analyze to infer behaviors and outcomes.

What does "inter-rater reliability" measure?

Inter-rater reliability measures the consistency of ratings between different observers.

How can researcher bias impact a study?

Researcher bias can lead to systematic errors in recording and interpreting data based on personal beliefs.

Why are clear categories important for observer training?

Clear categories help ensure uniformity in ratings

What issues can arise from participant reactivity?

Participant reactivity can result in demand characteristics

How can practice effects influence study outcomes?

Practice effects occur when repeated exposure to a task influences performance

What is the significance of sampling in matched group designs?

Sampling in matched groups aims to keep participant characteristics constant to enhance study validity.

What is meant by "within-subjects design"?

Within-subjects design involves the same participants being exposed to multiple conditions or treatments.

How does the concept of habituation relate to observational methods?

Habituation refers to participants becoming accustomed to stimuli over repeated trials

Why might observational studies be preferable in some situations?

Observational studies can be useful when random assignment is impractical or unethical.

What is the role of qualitative data in observation?

Qualitative data captures unscripted interactions and behaviors

What is observer-expectancy effect?

Observer-expectancy effect occurs when a researcher's expectations influence the outcomes they observe.

How can researchers address participant characteristics in a study?

Researchers can match or control groups on specific characteristics to reduce potential biases.

What is the importance of minimizing demand characteristics?

Minimizing demand characteristics ensures that participant behavior reflects true responses rather than influenced behaviors.

Why are field experiments particularly valuable?

Field experiments allow for manipulation of variables in a real-world context

What ethical considerations are involved in observational studies?

Ethical considerations include obtaining consent and ensuring privacy for participants during observation.

What does it mean to "scale" behaviors in quantitative observations?

Scaling behaviors involves assigning numerical values to specific behaviors for quantifiable analysis.

Why is it essential to have a well-defined coding scheme in observations?

A well-defined coding scheme ensures reliability and consistency in data collection among different observers.