Experiments; Ethical Considerations (General)
State what an experiment is.
An investigation looking for a causal relationship in which an independent variable is manipulated and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent variable
Explain the difference between a structured, unstructured, and semi-structured interview.
Structured (fixed questions)
Unstructured (questions depend on the answer of the respondent)
Semi-structured (fixed and unwritten questions)
State what operationalisation is.
Operationalisation: defining variables to accurately manipulate, measure, quantify, and replicate.
State what quantitative and qualitative data are.
- Quantitative Data: data in numerical format.
- Qualitative Data: data written in a non-numerical format that often expresses a quality or opinion.
Name one method that aids in reducing the effects of participant variables and one method that helps in reducing order effects.
Answers may vary. Examples include: random allocation, using repeated measures design for reducing the effects of participant variables; counterbalancing for reducing order effects
Millicent and Martha are planning a case study to investigate responses to emotional situations. Suggest three techniques that they might use in their case study.
Questionnaire, interview, observation.
Explain why pilot studies are conducted.
Pilot studies are conducted to analyse the technical and financial risks and to assess the feasibility of the study. Any plausible confounding variables are found and controlled to ensure it does not affect the real trial.
What is the measure of central tendency?
- The measure of central tendency: a mathematical way to find the average score from a data set using the mode, median, and mean.
Describe the difference between an extraneous variable and a confounding variable.
An extraneous variable is a variable which either acts randomly, affecting the DV in all levels of the IV or systematically, i.e. on one level of the IV (called a confounding variable) so it can obscure the effect of the IV, making the results difficult to interpret.
When do we use correlation in research?
Can be used as a basis for prediction
If variables are related, they may have a causal relationship
Test-retest reliability
Explain the animal-related ethical guideline of housing.
Housing: Isolation and crowding can cause animals distress. Caging conditions should depend on the social behaviour of the species. Overcrowding ➔ distress & aggression.
What is the difference between ecological validity and generalisability?
Answers may vary.
Explain the 7 ethical considerations.
Answers may vary, but must explain: informed consent, right to withdraw, privacy, confidentiality, debriefing, protection from harm (psychological and physical), and deception.
State 1 strength of each type of observation.
Answers may vary. Answers may include:
Naturalistic observation: participants' behaviour is observed in their natural environment without it having any manipulations from the researcher.
Controlled Observation: participants’ behaviour is observed in a setting that has been manipulated by the researcher (maybe in the participants’ natural environment).
Describe the three different types of hypotheses.
Compare and contrast standardization, reliability, and validity.
Standardization: keeping the procedure for each participant in an experiment (or interview) exactly the same.
Reliability: the extent to which a procedure, task or measure is consistent.
Validity: the extent to which the researcher is testing what they claim to be testing
Big Pharma Drug Company is conducting research of their new drug Attendomax to improve the note-taking behaviour of college students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Fifty of the students receive capsules containing Attendomax, another fifty receive capsules which look the same but actually contain the drug Ritalin which has been used for many years. In a classroom, all students attend the same series of lectures and have their notes collected afterwards. Notes are scored for completeness and accuracy.
IV:
DV:
Extraneous Variable:
Confounding Variable:
Participant Variable:
Control Condition:
Experimental Condition:
Research Design:
Types of Experimental Research:
Answers may vary. Example includes:
IV: The type of drug being given/the presence and absence of Attendomax
DV: The completeness and accuracy of the participants’ lecture notes (and thus the note-taking behaviour of the participants)
Extraneous Variable: The class environment (e.g. the noise levels, how well the A.C. works, the temperature levels, etc.), the conduciveness of the learning space
Confounding Variable: How each participant consumes the drug, and how each of their bodies may react to the drug (e.g. the speed)
Participant Variable: Where the person is on the ADHD spectrum (how much they "mask"), how much the person enjoys/is interested in the class, how much the person enjoys/is good at taking notes in the first place (as some people don't need to take notes in class to remember the information; they can just memorize it through their auditory senses), each participant's reaction to either Attendomax or Ritalin (including reaction time)
Control Condition: Being given Ritalin
Experimental Condition: Being given Attendomax
Research Design: Independent measures
Types of Experimental Research: Field experiment
State 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of implementing the case study method.
Strengths:
The data collected is highly valid.
The researcher builds rapport with the subject, making it likely for them to open up and provide true information.
The subject is less likely to show demand characteristics as case studies are longitudinal studies.
Weaknesses:
The researcher’s findings may be biassed due to the close relation with the subject.
The data is low in reliability and replicability.
The data is only internally valid.
Explain 3 ethical guidelines related to animals.
State 1 strength and 1 weakness of each type of sampling.