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Flashcards in Research Methods Deck (9)
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1
Q

What are all experiments designed around?

A

The experimental method

2
Q

Psychiatrists use the experimental methods to test a hypothesis, explain how they do this in terms of variables

A

Independent variable - manipulated by experimenter
–>
a. If pps are in randomly allocated conditions
–>
b. and extraneous variables are controlled (inc. no confounding variables
–>
Results in a Change in the dependant variable - measured by the experimenter

3
Q

What are the 3 types of experiment psychologists use?

A

Lab
Natural
Field

4
Q

What is a lab experiment?

A

It is the type of experiment that is closest to the experimental method
 > Always carried out in controlled conditions
> Not always in a laboratory
 > Experimenter controls IV and measures its effect
on DV
E.g. Loftus and Palmer (1974) used lab experiments to investigate the effects of leading questions

5
Q

What are the strengths and weaknesses of a lab experiment?

A

Strengths

  1. Showing cause and effect: easier to control IV and EV in order to get an accurate measure of DV
  2. Replication: If the results are repeatable, they are reliable

Weaknesses

  1. Lack of validity: artificial situation
  2. Demand characteristics: people may behave consciously or subconsciously, in a way that confirms researcher’s hypothesis
6
Q

What is a field experiment?

A

Are carried out in the natural social setting of the participant
 Still manipulating IV to measure effect of DV – (basic experimental method)
 Change = carried out in a natural setting often participants are not aware they are taking part

7
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of a field experiment

A

Strengths

  1. Improves external ability: natural conditions should not artificially alter the behaviour of participants
  2. Reduced demand characteristics: natural social setting reduces the likelihood of participants changing their behaviour in response to cues from the researcher

Weaknesses

  1. Less control: harder to control any extraneous variables
    - Therefore change in DV could be caused my EV, not IV
  2. Cost: more expensive setting
8
Q

What is a Natural Experiment?

A

Are studies of naturally occurring events
> So researcher has no control over the variables
> The researcher uses natural differences in the independent variables in their experimental conditions

9
Q

Strengths and Weaknesses of a natural experiment

A

Strengths

  1. Improved validity
  2. Research opportunities: natural experiments allow researchers to study events that they could not normally study. E.g. Privation cannot be studied in a lab as it may not be practically possible or ethically sound

Weaknesses

  1. Less control: hard to prove the IV is the cause of change to the DV because the EVs could have a confounding effect
  2. Not repeatable: The are based on events that occur only once