Experimental Methods in Research

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Questions and Answers

What is a key limitation of using the mean to calculate an average?

  • It is difficult to analyze.
  • It is influenced by outliers. (correct)
  • It can oversimplify findings.
  • It provides a rich and detailed perspective.

Qualitative data is always numerical in nature.

False (B)

What is informed consent?

Participants must be fully aware of study aims and potential risks before agreeing to participate.

Deception in research can allow for natural behavior but may cause participants to feel __________.

<p>betrayed</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the types of data with their strengths:

<p>Qualitative data = Captures participant perspectives Quantitative data = Enables comparisons and statistical analysis Mean = Summarizes large datasets Median = Identifies central patterns</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of a study in experimental methods?

<p>To investigate the relationship between variables (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A laboratory experiment has high ecological validity.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a natural experiment?

<p>An experiment where the independent variable occurs naturally.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In random sampling, every member of the population has an ______ chance of selection.

<p>equal</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of observation with its definition:

<p>Naturalistic observation = Behavior is observed in its natural setting Covert observation = Participants are unaware of being observed Overt observation = Participants know they are being observed Structured observation = Behavior is observed in a controlled scenario</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a limitation of field experiments?

<p>Low control over extraneous variables (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Opportunity sampling is more representative than random sampling.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main strength of covert observation?

<p>Reduces demand characteristics and captures authentic behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Mean

The average calculated by adding up all the values in a dataset and then dividing by the number of values.

Median

The middle value when a dataset is ordered from smallest to largest.

Mode

The value that appears most frequently in a dataset.

Qualitative Data

Data expressed in words or descriptions, like interview transcripts or open-ended survey responses.

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Quantitative Data

Data expressed in numbers, like test scores, heights, or ages.

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What is the aim of a study?

A general statement about what the researcher is aiming to investigate.

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What is a hypothesis?

A precise statement about the relationship between variables being investigated. It predicts what will happen to the dependent variable when the independent variable is manipulated.

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What is a laboratory experiment?

A controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the independent variable and measures the dependent variable. Offers high control over variables, making it easier to replicate.

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What is a field experiment?

An experiment conducted in the real world, with some control over variables. It has a higher ecological validity, so results are more likely to reflect real-life situations.

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What is a natural experiment?

A natural experiment uses naturally occurring events or changes as the independent variable. The researcher can't manipulate the IV, but they can observe its effect on the dependent variable.

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What is opportunity sampling?

Participants are selected based on their availability. Easy and quick, but may not be representative of the population.

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What is random sampling?

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. This helps to reduce bias and makes the sample more likely to represent the population.

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What is naturalistic observation?

Behavior is observed in its natural setting. It provides a realistic and authentic view of behavior, but can be challenging to control extraneous variables.

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Study Notes

Experimental Methods

  • Aim: A general statement of the researcher's plan for investigation.
  • Hypothesis: A precise statement of the relationship between variables.
  • Independent Variable (IV): Manipulated variable, impacting the dependent variable.
  • Dependent Variable (DV): Measured variable, responding to changes in the IV.

Types of Experiments

  • Laboratory Experiment: Conductec in a controlled environment, allowing high control over variables for replicability; however, limited ecological validity and can be affected by demand characteristics.

  • Field Experiment: Conducted in a natural environment with some control over variables, resulting in higher ecological validity and observation of natural behaviour. However, lower control over extraneous variables and ethical concerns like privacy could be present.

  • Natural Experiment: An experiment where the IV occurs naturally (e.g., natural disaster). Allows studying events that cannot be manipulated but are hard to replicate and confounding variables are hard to control. High external validity.

Sampling Methods

  • Opportunity Sampling: Participants recruited based on availability, quick and cost-effective but not representative and can be affected by researcher bias.

  • Random Sampling: Every member has an equal chance of selection, minimising researcher bias and commonly representative but can be time-consuming and may not represent the population, due to refusals.

Observational Techniques

  • Naturalistic Observation: Observing behavior in its natural setting; high ecological validity but uncontrolled extraneous variables and challenging to replicate.

  • Covert Observation: Participants are unaware of being observed, reducing demand characteristics and capturing authentic behaviour but raises ethical concerns regarding informed consent.

Data Analysis

  • Measures of Central Tendency: Ways to calculate an average (mean, median, mode), summarising large datasets and identifying central patterns. However, each measure has limitations, such as the mean influenced by outliers.

  • Qualitative Data: Non-numerical data (interviews, text) rich in detail and captures participant insight, but difficult for analysis and subjective interpretations can bias conclusions.

  • Quantitative Data: Numerical data (test scores, measurements), easy to analyze and allows comparison through statistical methods, but lacks depth and context.

Ethical Issues

  • Informed Consent: Participants are fully aware of study aims and potential risks before participation for ethical conduct and to build trust.

  • Deception: Misleading participants about the true purpose of the study to permit natural behaviour, but can cause distress if participants feel betrayed.

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