Misc
This ensures that the only possible explanation for the results (dependent variable) is the effect of the independent variable (manipulated)
What is internal validity?
Some variables are associated with certain other variables in nature
What is a natural confound?
A researchers coding gradually changes. What is this an example of?
An instrumentation change
An increase of decrease of initial extreme scores from pretest to posttest
What is statistical regression?
Occurs when research participants in control group differ from those in experimental group
What is assignment bias?
What are types of confounds?
The IV in an experiment is confounded with another variable
What is a treatment confound?
Taking the pretest affects scores on the posttest independently of the effect of the intervention
What is testing?
Participants' scores on measures result from their reaction to the situation rather than from the effects of the independent variable
What is reactivity?
People drop out of study as it is conducted
What is mortality?
What are experimenter expectancy effects?
Occurs when a measure assesses more than one hypothetical construct
What is a measurement confound?
The possibility that events external to the research have affected the behavior being studied
What is history?
What are observer expectancy effects?
In a test of an experimental drug with severe side effects, more participants in the experimental group drop out.
What is this an example of?
What is differential mortality?
Participants are given time to adjust to their new environment before beginning a study. This allows them to acclimate and possibly stop editing their behavior.
What might this help reduce?
What are novelty effects?
Varies systematically along with manipulation of independent variable
What is a confound variable?
A researcher wants to see if making a campus smoke-free decreases smoking cigarettes. However, at the same time, the cost of cigarettes increased by 25%. What time-related threat is this?
What is history?
Any aspect of a research situation that is new or novel and can induce reactivity
What are novelty effects?
Something other than the independent variable that:
- affects the dependent variable
- provides an alternative explanation for the results
What is an artifact?
Information present in the research situation that allows participants to form their own hypotheses about the purpose of the study
What are demand characteristics?
What is a treatment confound?
A natural change over time that could serve as an alternative explanation for changes in participants' responses
What is maturation?
A researcher is studying whether computer-based training programs improve children's spelling.
Over the time period of the study, children's cognitive development makes learning spelling easier.
This is an example of...
What is maturation?
The anxiety people feel when they believe someone is judging their behavior
What is evaluation apprehension?