IB Psychology Research Methods

Two Types of Experiments

Natural Experiments, Laboratory Experiments

Explain what an observation is.

An observation is when a researcher watch and records behavior without manipulating variables.

Two Types of Observations

Controlled and Naturalistic Observation.

Explain Studies in this Class.

Aim, Procedure, Results

List all 6 Ethical Considerations

Protection from Harm and Discomfort

Informed Consent

Deception

Right to withdraw

Right to stay anonymous

Right to debrief

Informed Consent

Participants must be knowledgeable about the procedure and purpose prior to agreeing.

Right to Withdraw

Participants have the right to be free or leave the study at any time.

Explain two types of demand characteristics.

Screw-You Effect – When participants deliberately act in a way to mess up the results of a study, often because they’ve guessed the purpose and want to rebel.

Expectancy Effect – When a researcher’s expectations (even unconsciously) influence how participants behave or how the results are interpreted.(a type of researcher bias)

What is an experiment?

An experiment is when researchers change the independent variable (IV) to see if it causes a change in the dependent variable (DV).

Explain two types of order effects.

Practice Effect- Participants are told to do a task repeatedly, so they can possibly improve their results.

Fatigue Effect- Participants get bored or tired after doing a task too many times.

What is construct validity?

Whether the test or measure actually reflects the theory or idea it’s meant to study.

What is internal validity?

Whether the study really tested what it was supposed to test and not something else.

What is ecological validity?

Whether the results can be applied to real life settings outside the study.

What is population validity?

Whether the results can be applied to other people beyond the sample.

What makes a study reliable?

A study is reliable if it can replicated under similar conditions and produce identical results.