AP PSYCH 1.4 Selecting a Research Method

• All research has the potential for flaws and bias
• These are a few of the most notable obstacles to research

Confounding Variables

• Factors that interfere or influence a study that were not intended or expected

Placebo Effect

• An expectation that a substance or an action given during an experiment has a real effect

Participant Bias

• Conscious or unconscious behavior that will ensure a research outcome fits a participant’s expectations or what they perceive the researcher to want
• This can be fixed by conducting a single-blind procedure
  • In which the subjects don’t know which of them has received the treatment, who has received placebo, and who is control

Experimental/Researcher Bias

• Consciously or unconsciously conducting research to ensure the outcome fits the researcher’s expectations
• This can be avoided by conducting a double-blind procedure
  • In which neither the research or participant know who has received treatment/placebo/control

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