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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a disadvantage of quasi-experiments?
Which of the following is a disadvantage of quasi-experiments?
Laboratory experiments typically have higher ecological validity than field experiments.
Laboratory experiments typically have higher ecological validity than field experiments.
False
What is one major advantage of laboratory experiments?
What is one major advantage of laboratory experiments?
High reliability and consistency of results.
In a quasi-experiment, the independent variable is often related to __________ characteristics.
In a quasi-experiment, the independent variable is often related to __________ characteristics.
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Match the type of experiment with its corresponding feature:
Match the type of experiment with its corresponding feature:
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What is a potential drawback of the Hawthorne effect?
What is a potential drawback of the Hawthorne effect?
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Field experiments offer easier control over extraneous variables compared to laboratory experiments.
Field experiments offer easier control over extraneous variables compared to laboratory experiments.
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Name one advantage of conducting a field experiment.
Name one advantage of conducting a field experiment.
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Which of the following is a disadvantage of field experiments?
Which of the following is a disadvantage of field experiments?
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Natural experiments are easier to replicate than lab experiments.
Natural experiments are easier to replicate than lab experiments.
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What is the primary advantage of conducting a field experiment?
What is the primary advantage of conducting a field experiment?
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In a natural experiment, the independent variable is often a __________ event.
In a natural experiment, the independent variable is often a __________ event.
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Which of the following statements describes a key feature of quasi-experiments?
Which of the following statements describes a key feature of quasi-experiments?
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Demand characteristics are heightened in field experiments compared to lab experiments.
Demand characteristics are heightened in field experiments compared to lab experiments.
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Name one limitation of natural experiments.
Name one limitation of natural experiments.
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A __________ hypothesis predicts a relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
A __________ hypothesis predicts a relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
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Match the type of experiment with its correct description:
Match the type of experiment with its correct description:
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Which type of experiment is the most accurate for establishing cause and effect relationships?
Which type of experiment is the most accurate for establishing cause and effect relationships?
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A quasi-experiment must meet all three criteria of a true experiment.
A quasi-experiment must meet all three criteria of a true experiment.
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What is one major disadvantage of conducting true experiments?
What is one major disadvantage of conducting true experiments?
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In a __________ experiment, neither the experimenter nor the participants are aware of group assignments.
In a __________ experiment, neither the experimenter nor the participants are aware of group assignments.
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Match the following experiment types with their definitions:
Match the following experiment types with their definitions:
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What is one advantage of true experiments?
What is one advantage of true experiments?
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In quasi-experiments, the independent variable can always be manipulated.
In quasi-experiments, the independent variable can always be manipulated.
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What can lead to demand characteristics in an experiment?
What can lead to demand characteristics in an experiment?
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Study Notes
Variables in Experiments
- Variable: Any object, quality, or event that changes in some way. Examples include noise and performance.
- Independent Variable (IV): The variable the experimenter manipulates to see its effect on another variable. It's controlled in the experiment. Example: Noise.
- Dependent Variable (DV): The variable that is measured in the experiment. It's a result of the IV. This variable is commonly a performance measurement. Example: Performance on a memory test.
- Extraneous Variables: Factors other than the IV that might influence the DV. They're not controlled by the researcher, but they may alter the findings. Example: Time of day, mood, and hunger.
- Confounding Variables: Extraneous variables that interfere with the experiment. They cannot be controlled, which harms the research's validity. Example: Participant's mood.
Experimental Design Advantages and Disadvantages
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Advantages:
- Ideal for quantitative studies where researchers manipulate variables in a controlled setting.
- Useful for confirming or rejecting hypotheses.
- Establishes relationships between variables.
- Easy to determine the validity and reliability of findings compared to qualitative research.
- Easier to analyze numerical data objectively.
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Disadvantages:
- Evaluation apprehension can occur if the participants know they're being tested (participants are worried their performance will be judged).
- Large participant numbers are often needed.
- Not suitable for all situations (example, sensitive topics).
- Individuality is minimized since each experimental participant may not be considered the same for a repeated study.
How to Conduct an Accurate Experiment
- Manipulate the Independent Variable (IV): The researcher changes this factor in the experiment.
- Measure the Dependent Variable (DV): Record quantitative data about the variable's changes.
- Minimize Extraneous Variables: The experimenter aims to keep other potential influences on the DV to a minimum.
- Draw Conclusions: Evaluate the results to determine the relationship between the IV and DV.
- Confirm or Reject the Hypothesis: Based on the findings, accept or reject the initial prediction.
Example of a Research Tool: Measuring the Relationship Between Caffeine and Stress
- Title: Measuring the relationship between caffeine and stress.
- Hypothesis: Participants who consume a high dose of caffeine will experience a rise in stress levels.
- Null Hypothesis: There will be no difference in reported stress levels between participants who do and do not consume caffeine.
- Independent Variable: Amount of caffeine in the coffee.
- Dependent Variable: Participant's stress levels.
- Operationalisation: Clearly define and measure variables. This is typically done by using standardized tests like an IQ test, timers, or scales.
Operationalising Variables (Important for Research)
- Clearly define variables in quantifiable and measurable terms.
- Operational definition: Provide explicit directions on how variables are measured or manipulated.
- Example: Defining stress according to scores on a questionnaire, monitoring heartbeat, or blood pressure.
- Clear operational definitions help others understand and measure variables as well.
Possible Extraneous Variables (in a Caffeine/Stress Study)
- Caffeine consumption before the experiment.
- Participant Expectations.
- Moods of participants.
- Thoughts of what occurred before and/or after the experiment.
- Room temperature.
- Noise level.
- Time of the day the experiment occurs.
Types of Experiments
- True Experiment: A hypothesis is tested by manipulating an independent variable and randomly assigning participants to control and experimental groups. The IV can be controlled, and results can be confidently attributed to it.
- Quasi-Experiment: Researchers cannot control, or manipulate, the independent variable. Often involves naturally occurring events. This means that there is not random assignment.
- Lab Experiment: Occur in a controlled environment, minimizing extraneous variables.
- Field Experiment: Conducted in natural settings, offering higher ecological validity (closer to real-world scenarios).
Additional Important Concepts - Demand Characteristics and Hawthorne Effect
- Demand Characteristics: Participants' expectations about what is needed of them influence their behavior, possibly affecting the results of a study, or not being genuinely reflective of the results that would naturally occur without those influences.
- Hawthorne Effect: An improvement in performance or other behavior as a result of being observed. This observation is a demand characteristic. The participants react to being watched, thus, possibly giving skewed/invalid results.
- Placebo Effect: A phenomenon where participants respond to a treatment simply because they expect it to work. This is usually seen in studies involving some sort of treatment. Researchers will often include a placebo to differentiate the actual effect of the treatment (or IV) versus the expected/anticipated effect of the same.
- Double-Blind Procedures: Both the participants and the researchers are unaware of the groups/conditions to help prevent bias from expectations.
- Single-Blind Procedures: Participants are unaware of which group/condition they are assigned to in order to help prevent bias in the results.
Limitations of Experiments
- Artificiality: The artificial environment of a laboratory experiment might not reflect the real-world. Ethical restrictions may prevent certain aspects of manipulation necessary to a true experiment too, which can be a limitation of natural/quasi-experiments.
- Difficulty replicating conditions: Some experiments (e.g., natural experiments) are hard to replicate due to the unique context of the natural phenomenon.
- Confounding variables: Some uncontrollable variables influencing the results that cannot be removed.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the different types of variables in experiments, including independent, dependent, extraneous, and confounding variables. This quiz will also cover the advantages and disadvantages of experimental design. Enhance your understanding of experimental research methods.
