COMG 102: Everyday Communication with Numbers - Experiments

Flashcards covering key concepts related to experimental design, causality, and different experimental structures, derived from lecture notes on Everyday Communication with Numbers.

Surveys

A research approach that involves asking people questions to understand their thoughts or opinions.

Experiments

A research approach that involves actively doing something (manipulating a variable) and observing the resulting changes.

Experimentation

The process of manipulating one variable (Independent Variable) to observe its effect on another variable (Dependent Variable), typically to determine causal relationships and is a form of longitudinal research.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher in an experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that is measured or observed for changes as a result of the independent variable manipulation.

Cross-lagged designs

A longitudinal research design where researchers measure study variables at two different times (Time 1 and Time 2) without manipulating any independent variables.

Experimental designs (Experimental treatment)

A longitudinal research design where researchers manipulate an independent variable and measure dependent variables at two different times (Time 1 and Time 2) to investigate changes caused by the manipulation.

Manipulation

The process by which researchers actively change or influence the independent variable in an experiment.

Causality

The main reason for conducting experiments, which seeks to determine whether one variable (A) causes a change in another variable (B).

Time order (Causality Criterion)

The first criterion for causality, stating that the presumed cause (A) must precede the presumed effect (B) in time.

Covariance (Causality Criterion)

The second criterion for causality, stating that the presumed cause (A) and effect (B) must vary together, demonstrating a relationship between them.

No extraneous factors (Causality Criterion)

The third criterion for causality, requiring that the effect (B) must be caused by A and not by any other unmeasured or confounding variables.

One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design

A basic experimental design where a group is observed at baseline (O1), exposed to an experimental manipulation (X), and then observed again (O2) to see if a change occurred.

Control Groups

Groups in an experiment that are not exposed to any experimental manipulation or treatment, serving as a baseline for comparison with groups that receive the treatment.

Two-Group Pretest-Posttest Design

An experimental design utilizing two groups (a treatment group and a control group), both measured before (O1) and after (O2), but only the treatment group receives the experimental manipulation (X), allowing for stronger causal inferences.

Ecological isomorphism

The degree to which an experimental condition accurately mirrors real-world situations, often related to external validity.

External validity

The extent to which the findings of an experiment can be generalized to other populations, settings, and times outside of the specific experimental conditions.