Experimental Designs

What is the frequency method in observational research?

A method that records the number of times a behavior occurs.

What does the duration method measure?

It records how long a behavior lasts.

What is the purpose of the intervals method?

To record whether a behavior occurs during specified intervals of observation.

How does the rating method function in observational research?

It rates the strength or severity of a behavior, often on a scale.

What is a common bias in observational research?

Observers may be biased if they know the hypotheses of the study.

What is one solution to observer bias?

Using blind observers who are unaware of the study's hypotheses.

What is the difference between passive and active researcher involvement?

Passive observers do not interact with participants, while active observers do, which may influence behavior.

What ethical consideration arises from concealing the study from participants?

Concealment can reduce reactivity but raises ethical concerns.

What is reactivity in observational research?

The phenomenon where participants alter their behavior due to awareness of being observed.

What are coding systems used for in observational research?

To quantify observations and operationally define behaviors.

What is a within-subjects design?

A design that eliminates preexisting differences by using the same participants across conditions.

What is a potential disadvantage of within-subjects designs?

Testing effects, where participants may improve due to practice rather than the independent variable.

What are fatigue effects in research?

When participants perform worse due to tiredness or boredom, not the independent variable.

What are sequence effects?

When the outcome in one condition is influenced by the previous condition.

What is counterbalancing in experiments?

A method where different participants receive different orders of conditions to control for sequence effects.

What is a quasi-experimental design?

A design that lacks random assignment and control groups, often used when manipulation is not possible.

What is a one-group post-test only design?

A design where participants are assessed after an independent variable is introduced without a control group.

What is a key advantage of quasi-experimental designs?

They can examine the effects of variables that cannot be manipulated.

What is a major disadvantage of quasi-experimental designs?

They cannot establish causality due to potential confounding variables.