Experimental Methods in Psychology Chapter 5

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Questions and Answers

What is one strength of laboratory experiments?

They are less expensive than other methods.

They provide control over variables, allowing for cause and effect to be established. (correct)

They allow for more participant variability.

They can be easily generalized to real-world settings.

Laboratory experiments typically exhibit high ecological validity.

False

What is a key feature of the independent variable (IV) in experimental methods?

The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

In experimental designs, controlling ________ is crucial for ensuring the validity of results.

variables Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to experimental methods with their definitions:

Independent Variable = Factor manipulated in an experiment Dependent Variable = Factor measured in response to IV Control Group = Group not exposed to the experimental treatment Experimental Group = Group exposed to the experimental treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of laboratory experiments?

They allow researchers to manipulate independent variables. Signup and view all the answers

A disadvantage of laboratory experiments is the lack of control over confounding variables.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the two variables involved in a laboratory experiment?

Independent variable and dependent variable. Signup and view all the answers

In laboratory experiments, the controlled setting allows for high __________ over the independent variable.

control Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of interview with its characteristic:

Structured Interview = A predetermined set of questions used. Unstructured Interview = Flexible, allowing questions to be tailored. Semi-Structured Interview = Combination of predetermined and flexible questioning. Focus Group = Group discussion led by an interviewer to gather opinions. Signup and view all the answers

What does a laboratory experiment enable researchers to establish?

Cause and effect. Signup and view all the answers

Unstructured interviews are easier to analyze due to their standardized format.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of using correlations in research?

They cannot establish cause and effect. Signup and view all the answers

Laboratory experiments are often noted for their __________, which allows for study replication.

replicability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a strength of laboratory experiments?

Easily applicable to real-world situations. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Methods - Content Booklet

Experimental method covers types of experiments (laboratory, field, natural, quasi).
Observational techniques include naturalistic, controlled, covert, overt, and participant observation.
Self-report techniques involve questionnaires and interviews (structured and unstructured).
Correlations analyze relationships between co-variables, contrasting them with experiments.
Content analysis examines the content of communication.
Case studies focus on detailed investigations of individuals or small groups.
Scientific processes include aims, hypotheses (directional, non-directional), and sampling methods (random, systematic, stratified, opportunity, volunteer).
Pilot studies, experimental designs (repeated measures, independent groups, matched pairs), and observational designs (event sampling, time sampling) are also part of the specification content.
Variables (independent, dependent, extraneous, confounding) need to be appropriately operationalised/defined.
Control techniques like random allocation and counterbalancing are essential to ensure validity.
Demand characteristics and investigator effects are key issues.

Scientific Processes: Aims & Hypotheses

Aims define the study's general purpose.
Hypotheses are precise, testable predictions.
Alternative and null hypotheses exist in all studies (directional and non-directional)

Data Handling and Analysis

Quantitative data represents numerical data (counts, measures).
Qualitative data involves descriptive data (words, observations).
Descriptive statistics include measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and dispersion (range, standard deviation).
Inferential statistics involve using statistical tests to determine the probability of findings being due to chance.

Experimental Methods Summary

Laboratory Experiment: High control over variables, artificial environment, which can limit generalizability and increase demand characteristics impacting external validity. However, cause-and-effect relationships may be more easily established.
Field Experiment: Manipulated IV in a natural setting, but less control over extraneous variables, making causality harder to pin down but improves ecological validity.
Natural Experiment: Naturally occurring changes in the IV, less control but high ecological validity; however, cause-and-effect is difficult to determine.
Quasi-Experiment: An existing difference between groups (e.g., gender, age) is the IV, high ecological validity but no manipulation, limiting causal interpretations.

Observational Techniques

Naturalistic Observation: Observing behaviour in a natural setting without intervention, high ecological validity but lacks control, making it difficult to establish causality.
Controlled Observation: Observing behaviour in a structured environment, more controlled than naturalistic observation; however, it may lack ecological validity.

Self-Report Techniques

Questionnaires: A series of questions, can collect large amounts of data efficiently but responses may not be truthful or properly understood.
Structured Interviews: Pre-determined questions, good for replication, but can be inflexible and lack depth.
Unstructured Interviews: Unstructured questions and responses, richer data, but harder to analyze & might contain subjective biases.

Correlations

Correlational analyses explore the relationship between two co-variables but cannot conclude cause-and-effect.
Correlations can be positive, negative, or zero, and are quantified by correlation coefficients.

Features of Science

Objectivity: Unbiased research, no researcher influence.
Empirical method: Data-driven approach.
Replicability: Consistent findings when repeated.
Falsifiability: Ability for a theory to be proven wrong.

Reporting Psychological Investigations

Structure of a scientific report (abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, references).
Data handling using descriptive & inferential statistics
Graphs (bar charts, histograms, scattergrams) and tables for visualizing data.

Ethics in Psychological Research

Informed consent; Deception; Protection from harm; Confidentiality, Anonymity; Debriefing & Right to withdraw are essential, and are outlined in BPS guidelines. Researchers are responsible for ethical oversight.

Improving Reliability & Validity

Reliability: Consistency of measurement.
Validity: Accuracy of the measure.
Various techniques may improve both depending on the research method and purpose.

Statistical Tests

Statistical tests are used. Understanding statistical analysis is essential to interpret results.
Different tests are used depending on the type of data (nominal, ordinal, interval) and the research design.

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Description

Test your understanding of laboratory experiments and their characteristics with this quiz on Experimental Methods in Psychology. Explore key features such as independent variables, ecological validity, and advantages versus disadvantages of conducting experiments in a controlled setting.