aice psych 1-42

Experiment

A study where a researcher deliberately changes one thing to see its effect on another.

Independent variable (IV)

The thing the researcher changes or manipulates.

Dependent variable (DV)

The thing that is measured, which may change because of the IV.

Uncontrolled variable

A factor that isn't controlled and could affect the results.

Experimental conditions

The different situations/groups participants experience in a study.

Control condition

The baseline group that doesn't get the treatment, used for comparison.

Experimental design

The way participants are organized/assigned in a study (e.g., repeated measures, independent measures).

Independent measures design

Different participants are used in each condition.

Demand characteristics

Clues that make participants guess the study's aim and change their behavior.

Random allocation

Randomly placing participants into different groups to reduce bias.

Repeated measures design

The same participants take part in all conditions.

Participant variables

Individual differences between people (age, mood, ability) that could affect results.

Confounding variables

A variable other than the IV that affects the DV, messing up the results.

Order effect

When the order of conditions affects performance (e.g., doing better/worse due to practice or fatigue).

Practice effect

Getting better at a task because of repeated practice, not the IV.

Fatigue effect

Getting worse at a task due to tiredness or boredom.

Randomisation

Using chance methods to reduce researcher bias (e.g., random order of tasks).

Counterbalancing

Splitting participants so half do conditions in one order, half in the other order, to cancel out order effects.

Matched pairs design

Different participants are used, but matched on key traits (like age, IQ) between conditions.

Laboratory experiment

A study done in a controlled, artificial setting.

Controls

Steps taken to keep all variables the same except the IV.

Standardization

Using the same procedures for every participant.

Reliable

Consistent; results can be repeated with similar outcomes.

Validity

Whether a study truly measures what it claims to measure.

Pilot study

A small trial run of a study before the real one, to fix problems.

Replication

Repeating a study to see if the same results occur.

Operationalisation

Clearly defining variables so they can be measured.

Placebo

A fake treatment with no real effect, used to compare with the real treatment.

Field experiment

A study done in a natural, real-life setting.

Generalise

Applying findings from a sample to the wider population.

Ecological validity

How well results apply to real-life situations.

Hypothesis

A clear, testable prediction about what the study will find.

Alternative hypothesis

A prediction that there will be a difference/effect (opposite of the null).

Non-directional (two-tailed) hypothesis

Predicts there will be a difference, but doesn't say which direction.

Directional (one-tailed) hypothesis

Predicts there will be a difference and states the specific direction.

Null hypothesis

Predicts there will be no difference or effect.

Informed consent

Participants agree to take part after knowing what the study involves.

Right to withdraw

Participants can leave the study at any time without penalty.

Protected from harm

Participants should not be physically or psychologically harmed.

Deception

Not telling participants the true purpose of a study.

Privacy

The right to control personal space and information.

Confidentiality

Keeping participants' personal data safe and not sharing their identity.