Research Methods Flashcards Chapter 8-9

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Questions and Answers

What is a classical experimental design?

A design without control groups

A design using only pretests

An experimental design with random assignment and control group (correct)

An observational study

What is the role of a control group?

The control group does not receive the treatment in an experimental research.

What does debriefing involve?

Debriefing is when a researcher gives a true explanation of the experiment to participants after using deception.

Define deception in experimental research.

Deception is when an experimenter lies to research participants about the true nature of an experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is design notation?

Design notation is a symbol system used to discuss the parts of an experiment and to create diagrams. Signup and view all the answers

What is diffusion of treatment?

Diffusion of treatment is a threat to internal validity when the treatment spills over to the control group. Signup and view all the answers

What is a double-blind experiment?

A double-blind experiment is one where neither participants nor researchers know the specifics of the experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is an equivalent time series design?

An equivalent time series is an experimental design with repeated pretests, posttests, and treatments over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is involved in experimental design?

Experimental design involves arranging the parts of an experiment and putting them together. Signup and view all the answers

Define the experimental group.

The experimental group is the group that receives the treatment in experimental research. Signup and view all the answers

What is a factorial design in experiments?

A factorial design considers the impact of several independent variables simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Hawthorne effect?

The Hawthorne effect is when participants change their behavior because they know they are being observed. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a laboratory experiment?

A laboratory experiment is conducted in an artificial setting supervised by the experimenter. Signup and view all the answers

What does reactivity refer to in experiments?

Reactivity is the threat to external validity because participants know they are being studied. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of random assignment?

Random assignment involves dividing participants into groups randomly to ensure equivalence. Signup and view all the answers

Define mortality effect in experimental research.

Mortality effect refers to the loss of participants during an experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a placebo?

A placebo is a false treatment that has no effect in an experiment, often called a 'sugar pill'. Signup and view all the answers

What is a posttest?

A posttest measures the dependent variable after the treatment in experimental research. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes preexperimental designs?

Preexperimental designs lack random assignment and are generally weaker than classical designs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a pretest?

A pretest measures the dependent variable prior to the treatment. Signup and view all the answers

Define quasi-experimental design.

Quasi-experimental designs are stronger than preexperimental designs and used when control is limited. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Methods Overview

Classical Experimental Design: Features random assignment, control and experimental groups, and includes pretests and posttests for both groups.
Control Group: The group not receiving the treatment, serving as a benchmark in experiments.
Experimental Group: The group that receives the treatment, critical for assessing the effects of the independent variable.
Double-Blind Experiment: Neither the participants nor the researchers interacting with them know details about the experiment, reducing bias.

Experimental Procedures

Debriefing: Informs participants about the true nature of the experiment, especially after using deception.
Deception: Researchers may mislead participants about the study's nature to prevent bias.
Design Notation: Symbol system employed to discuss and diagram the components of an experiment.

Validity Threats

Diffusion of Treatment: Occurs when the treatment affects the control group, potentially skewing results.
Hawthorne Effect: Behavior changes in participants due to awareness of being observed or part of an experiment.
History Effect: Unplanned events affecting outcomes during the experiment, outside of the researcher’s control.
Maturation Effect: Natural changes in participants, such as aging or fatigue, that influence results over time.
Mortality Effect: Bias introduced when participants drop out of the study affects the final results.

Experimental Designs

Factorial Design: Examines the impact of multiple independent variables simultaneously.
Field Experiment: Conducted in a natural environment, enhancing ecological validity.
Laboratory Experiment: Takes place in a controlled setting, providing high internal validity.
Quasi-Experimental Design: Utilizes existing groups when random assignment isn't feasible, offering stronger validity than preexperimental designs.
Preexperimental Designs: Weaker experimental setups lacking random assignment.

Measurements and Analysis

Pretest/Posttest: Comparison of dependent variable measurements before and after treatment.
One-Shot Case Study: A single experimental group undergoes treatment with only a posttest.
Static Group Comparison: Two groups compared without random assignment, involving only posttest data.
Interrupted Time Series: Measures the dependent variable at various time points before and after treatment.
Solomon Four-Group Design: Includes two control groups and two experimental groups, with diverse pretest strategies.

Additional Concepts

Random Assignment: Randomly divides participants into groups to ensure equivalence at the experiment's start.
Reactivity: Refers to bias from participants' awareness of being studied, threatening external validity.
Selection Bias: Occurs when groups are not equivalent at the experiment's onset, affecting validity.
Treatment: Refers to the independent variable, essential in understanding its effects on the dependent variable.
Placebo: A false treatment, typically a "sugar pill," used to determine the psychological effects of receiving treatment.

Conclusion

Understanding the various components and designs of experimental research enhances the quality and reliability of findings, addressing potential biases and validity threats effectively.

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Description

Enhance your understanding of research methods with these flashcards covering key concepts from Chapters 8 and 9. Each card features essential terms like classical experimental design and control group, along with their definitions. Perfect for students looking to solidify their grasp on experimental research concepts.