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Questions and Answers
What is the control/baseline condition in an experiment?
What is the control/baseline condition in an experiment?
- A condition with random variable changes
- A condition where the independent variable is not present (correct)
- A condition where the independent variable is present
- A condition where all variables are manipulated
What defines the experimental condition?
What defines the experimental condition?
Presence of the independent variable.
What is an independent variable?
What is an independent variable?
Environmental events manipulated by the investigator.
What does the dependent variable typically represent in behavioral research?
What does the dependent variable typically represent in behavioral research?
What distinguishes experimental conditions from control conditions?
What distinguishes experimental conditions from control conditions?
Why is it important that the only difference between experimental and control conditions is the independent variable?
Why is it important that the only difference between experimental and control conditions is the independent variable?
What issue arises if changes in an intervention condition are confounded with other changes?
What issue arises if changes in an intervention condition are confounded with other changes?
What factors does the control condition account for?
What factors does the control condition account for?
Why must each experimental condition be compared to a matching control condition?
Why must each experimental condition be compared to a matching control condition?
What are the two main functions of the control condition?
What are the two main functions of the control condition?
What problems occur if the features of a control condition are not maintained throughout its matching intervention condition?
What problems occur if the features of a control condition are not maintained throughout its matching intervention condition?
Why is starting a study with a control condition often useful?
Why is starting a study with a control condition often useful?
What are sequence effects?
What are sequence effects?
How can sequence effects be both beneficial and problematic?
How can sequence effects be both beneficial and problematic?
What does the letter 'A' represent in experimental sequences?
What does the letter 'A' represent in experimental sequences?
What is a function relation?
What is a function relation?
Why might multiple studies be needed to establish a functional relationship?
Why might multiple studies be needed to establish a functional relationship?
What is meant by experimental control?
What is meant by experimental control?
How do repeated-measures designs enhance experimental control?
How do repeated-measures designs enhance experimental control?
What is too much experimental control?
What is too much experimental control?
How can extraneous variables be managed?
How can extraneous variables be managed?
What is treatment integrity?
What is treatment integrity?
List three problems with experimental control.
List three problems with experimental control.
What is the difference between replication and reproduction?
What is the difference between replication and reproduction?
List the five types of replication.
List the five types of replication.
How can replication assess reliability?
How can replication assess reliability?
When replicating for reliability, how closely should the conditions match?
When replicating for reliability, how closely should the conditions match?
What is learned by replicating a condition exactly?
What is learned by replicating a condition exactly?
Why are replications useful for establishing generality?
Why are replications useful for establishing generality?
Factors affecting focus on reliability or generality in replication?
Factors affecting focus on reliability or generality in replication?
What considerations indicate a replication is successful?
What considerations indicate a replication is successful?
What is the minimal number of participants needed for valid results?
What is the minimal number of participants needed for valid results?
Why does adding participants not guarantee general findings?
Why does adding participants not guarantee general findings?
What are the functions of replication?
What are the functions of replication?
What questions guide replication decisions?
What questions guide replication decisions?
What practical considerations influence the number of participants in a study?
What practical considerations influence the number of participants in a study?
What advantages does a notational system for experimental designs provide?
What advantages does a notational system for experimental designs provide?
What information is enclosed by a brace in experimental notation?
What information is enclosed by a brace in experimental notation?
What does a dotted line represent in experimental designs?
What does a dotted line represent in experimental designs?
What does a solid line indicate in an experimental design?
What does a solid line indicate in an experimental design?
What does 'line up' signify in experimental notation?
What does 'line up' signify in experimental notation?
What does 'line down' denote?
What does 'line down' denote?
Study Notes
Experimental Conditions
- Control/Baseline Condition: Absence of the independent variable in an experiment, serving as a comparison point.
- Experimental/Treatment Condition: Phase where the independent variable is present, allowing for analysis of its effects.
Variables in Research
- Independent Variable: Environmental factors manipulated by the investigator to observe their impact on the dependent variable.
- Dependent Variable: Measurable behavior or response that is observed throughout the study to assess effects.
Importance of Control Conditions
- Control conditions account for all factors unrelated to the independent variable, enabling clear identification of its effects.
- Matching control conditions facilitate the detection of changes attributable to the independent variable.
Concept of Experimental Control
- Experimental control involves managing variables to ensure that outcomes can be traced back specifically to the independent variable, minimizing the influence of extraneous factors.
Sequence Effects
- Sequence effects refer to how the outcome in one condition can be influenced by experiences in a prior condition, which can complicate data interpretation.
- Can be beneficial by enhancing response utility but problematic when obscuring the effects of subsequent conditions.
Replication in Research
- Replication vs. Reproduction: Replication involves repeating procedures, while reproduction focuses on attaining the same results.
- Different types of replication include within-session, within-phase, within-experiment, within-literature, and across-research-literature.
- Replication assesses reliability and generality, helping to identify controlling variables in various contexts.
Managing Extraneous Variables
- Methods for dealing with extraneous variables include elimination, holding constants, and evaluation, each with advantages and drawbacks:
- Eliminate: Effective but limits generality.
- Hold Constant: Ensures uniformity, yet influence remains.
- Evaluate: Offers insight but requires more time and resources.
Treatment Integrity
- Treatment integrity refers to the consistency with which the independent variable is implemented according to the study design.
Challenges in Experimental Control
- Potential concerns include adjustments in defining/measure behaviors, necessary modifications to conditions, and unforeseen extraneous variables affecting results.
Effective Sample Size
- A minimum of one participant is necessary to make informed statements regarding the effects of an intervention.
- Nonetheless, additional participants do not guarantee representativeness of broader populations.
Notational Systems in Experimental Designs
- Notational systems succinctly convey the nature of comparisons across conditions, enhancing clarity in understanding experimental designs.
- Symbols such as dotted lines for control conditions and solid lines for interventions illustrate the phases of an experiment.
Practical Considerations for Studies
- Considerations for participant numbers include leveraging experimental conditions effectively, accommodating potential participant loss, and ensuring enough data to draw reliable conclusions.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Chapter 10 of your 5028 course. This quiz focuses on key concepts such as control conditions, independent variables, and experimental phases essential for understanding experimental design. Enhance your learning and retention of important terms in this chapter.
