Research Methods Chap 4

Define: True Experiment

“When the researcher manipulates all of the independent variables”

Define: quasi-independent variables

“independent variables in the experimental design even though the researcher does not actually manipulate them.” (Gender, sexual identity).

Define: quasi-independent designs

to designs where we cannot manipulate the independent variable or cannot randomly assign participants

What are the two types of measurement we can use

1. self-report

2. behavioral.

What is self report?

directly asking participants how they feel or what they think about a certain topic

Provide some examples of self-reports

1. interviews

2. surveys

3. questionnaires.

List some advantages of self-report

1. Cheap

2. Easy

3. Get it directly from the source

List some disadvantages of self-report

1. Don’t have enough self-knowledge report

2. Can’t accurately describe past or future behaviour (me cuz i know NOTHING of how im feeling)

3. We have “blind spots”

4. Give wrong answers on purpose (to be funny, don’t want to, etc)

5. Social desirability

6. succumbing to demand characteristics

7. retrospective bias

Define: “blind spots”

inability to accurately assess how others perceive us (thinking your crush likes you… but he really doesn’t).

Define: social desirability

provide “socially acceptable answers” to look good in front of the interviewer

Define: demand characteristics

cues that might make participants aware of what the experimenter expects. (E.G nodding only at certain answers)

How can the interviewer disguise the true purpose of the study

make it hard for them to figure out (e.g mix the questions up)

Define: retrospective bias

viewing stuff in the past inaccurately (probably ‘cause you can’t remember.. so me)

Define: behaviour trace

watching their previous behaviour and using that evidence to see if a behaviour has occurred (e.g: me stalking my friends playlist to see what type of person they might be)

What are some disadvantages of behaviour trace

the researcher has to draw inferences (accurately determine what it means).

Disadvantages of behavioural measures

1. time consuming

2. expensive

Define: participant reactivity

participants may act differently or unnaturally if they know someone is watching them.

Define: unobtrusive measures

strategies that allow researchers to make measurements outside of the participant’s awareness.

Name the two measurement error

1. Random error

2. bias

Define: standardization

keeping the experimental situation the same for everyone and as free from variation as possible.

Define: observer or scorer bias

misinterpreting an observation based on one’s existing beliefs

Define: sensitivity

the response options fully capture all of the participants’ possible responses.,

What’s the right range for sensitivity?

five to nine response options

When might you have a ceiling effect?

1. test is too easy

2. independant variable doesn’t effect dependant variable

What are the two ways to measure quality

1. validity

2. reliability

Define: simple random sampling

the researcher uses chance to select a subset of individuals from a population.

Define: Strata sampling

the researcher divides the population into key strata or subpopulations (black, christian, gay) that are important to the study.

Define: Cluster random sampling

divide the total population into groups (or clusters) and then use simple random sampling to select which clusters will participate in your study.

Define: In quota sampling

researchers decide ahead of time that they want their sample to hold certain characteristics

Define: purposive sampling

researcher chooses the sample based on predetermined qualities that they think make someone appropriate for the study.

Define: Snowballing sample

existing study participants recruit future participants from among their acquaintances.