Research Methods 1.1 Experiments OWN

experiment

An investigation that allows researchers to look for a cause and effect relationship

independent variable

The factor under investigation in an experiment that is manipulated to create two or more conditions and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent variable

dependent variable

The factor in an experiment that is measured and is expected to change under the influence of the independent variable

uncontrolled variable

A variable that should be minimized because it acts randomly, affecting the dependent variable in all levels of the independent variable and possibly making results difficult to interpret

experimental conditions

Situations in an experiment that represent different levels of the independent variable and are compared

control condition

A level of the independent variable in an experiment from which the independent variable itself is absent and it can be compared to one or more experimental conditions

experimental design

The way that participants are allocated to different levels

independent measures design

Using DIFFERENT participants in each condition of the experiment

repeated measures design

Each participant does the control condition AND repeats the experiment under the experimental condition.

matched pairs design

Participants are matched on key characteristics. One participant does control condition and the other does the experimental condition.

demand characteristics

cues in an experiment that tell the participant what behavior is expected

random allocation

People are chosen randomly, e.g. names from a hat, meaning there's an equal chance of being selected.

participant variables

Individual differences (like age, sex, intelligence, etc.) that, if not controlled, can confound the results of the experiment

confounding variable

An uncontrolled variable that could hide or exaggerate or confuse results

order effects

Practice and fatigue effects that are the consequences of participating in a study more than once, for example in a repeated measures design and could obscure the effect on the dependent variable

practice effect

A situation where participants' performances improve because they experience the experimental task more than once

randomization

A way to overcome order effects in a repeated measures design. Each participant is allocated to perform in the different levels in a way that ensures they have an equal chance of participating in any order

counterbalancing

A way to overcome order effects in a repeated measures design by having each order of levels performed by a different subgroup of participants

laboratory experiments

A research method in which there is an independent variable, a dependent variable, and strict controls. It is conducted in a setting that is not in the usual environment for the participants with regard to the behavior they are performing

controls

Ways to keep potential confounding variables constant, therefore raising validity

standardization

Keeping the procedure for each participant in a study exactly the same to ensure that any differences are due to the variables under investigation

reliable

The consistency between two researchers watching the same event

validity

The extent to which the researcher is testing what they claim to be testing

pilot study

A test of the procedure of a study before the main study is conducted. It ensures that the procedure and materials are valid and reliable, so that they can be adapted if not

replication

Keeping the procedure and materials exactly the same between studies to verify results were to enable other studies to use exactly the same techniques to answer related questions

operationalization

The clear description of a variable such that it can be accurately manipulated, measured, or quantified, and the study can be replicated

field experiment

An investigation conducted in the normal environment for the participants for the behavior being investigated and where some control of variables is possible

generalize

Applying the findings of a study more widely, such as two other settings or populations

ecological validity

The extent to which the findings of research in one situation would generalize to other situations

alternative hypothesis

The testable statement predicting a difference between levels of the independent variable in an experiment

non-directional (two-tailed) hypothesis

A statement predicting only that one variable will be related to another

directional (one-tailed) hypothesis

a statement predicting the direction of a relationship between variables

null hypothesis

A statement saying that any difference or correlation in the results is due to chance, that is, that no pattern in the results has arisen because of the variables being studied

informed consent

giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

right to withdraw

A participant's right to leave a study at any time and their ability to do so

protection from harm

the right of research participants to be protected from physical or psychological harm

deception

purposely misleading experiment participants in order to maintain the integrity of the experiment; should be avoided if possible

privacy

Participants emotions and physical space should not be invaded

confidentiality

Participants results in personal information should be kept safely and not released to anyone outside the study

null hypothesis

A statement saying that any difference or correlation in the results is due to chance, that is, that no pattern in the results has arisen because of the variables being studied

hypothesis

a testable statement based on the aims of an investigation