LAB MATERIAL

What is the methods section for?

the “how” of a specific study

why is a methods section important

• Important so readers can judge whether the method used was appropriate to test the hypothesis in question + replication

errors of commission

including too much detail

errors of omission

including not enough detail

participants part of methods section

1. Participants

   1. Who are they

   2. Where did this experiment take place

   3. Why did they participate? Compensation? 

design part of methods section

1. Type of experiment

2. independent variable: what did we manipulate (construct, operational definition)

3. dependent variable: what did we measure (construct, operational definition)

materials + apparatus part of methods section

1. What did experiments do before study

2. Controls employed for stopping EVs from becoming confounds

3. Organization of materials

4. Essential for replication 

procedure part of methods section

1. What happened in this study in chronological order

2. What did the experimenters do during the study

3. Paraphrasing of instructions given to participants

what not to include in methods section

1. Review of the literature

2. Results of study

3. Interpretation of the results

4. Limitations of the study

5. Future directions

6. Broader impacts/implications

1. Differentiate between correlational and simple experimental designs.

Correlational design studies the relationship between variables as they naturally occur. No variables are controlled or manipulated. It shows associations between variables, not causation. Meanwhile, experimental design is when researchers manipulate an independent variable and measure its effect on a dependent variable while controlling other factors. This can show cause and effect.

1. Distinguish the differences in the underlying construct and the operational definition of that described construct.

Construct is the theoretical idea being studied (abstract concept), like aggression, stress, happiness, etc. Operational definition is the exact way the construct is measured or manipulated in a study. For instance, stress = score on a stress survey OR cortisol levels.

1. Explain the difference between an extraneous variable whose effects have been controlled and a confounding variable.

Extraneous variables are all unwanted factors that might influence the dependent variable, whereas confounding variables are uncontrolled extraneous variables that have systematically changed alongside the independent variable, invalidating results

Pros for Within-Subjects

1. Controls for individual differences because each person is their own control (each person is compared to themselves)

2. Easier to detect differences across levels of the IV

3. Fewer participants

4. Cost effectiveness

Cons for Within-Subjects

1. Imperative to control for order and sequence effects, but still at risk for carry-over effects

2. Unique materials needed per condition

3. More EVs to control

Pros for Between-Subjects

1. No potential for carry-over effects

2. Can keep materials constant across conditions, so fewer materials needed

No need to counterbalance for order

Cons for Between-Subjects

1. Group differences could be because particiaptsn individual differences, not the manipulation

   1. Random assignment could control this concern

2. More participants needed → higher cost