Class notes
Research methods in psychology
- Course
- Institution
Lecture notes on research methods in psychology for first years students.
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
lisaantony
Content preview
Control of variables: The essence of an experiment is the manipulation(changing) of the independent variable (IV) to see how this impacts the
dependent variable. (DV). Keep in mind that the IV is only intended to affect
DV. However, if there are additional (unwanted) variables that could affect IV
or DV, those are extraneous variables.
Unneeded variables:
anything that, if it is not controlled, could affect the dependent variable (DV),
excluding the independent variable (IV).
These factors can be controlled by the experimenter, the environment (such as
noise levels and temperature), or the participant (such as age and intelligence).
(e.g. personality, appearance or conduct of researcher)
Confounding factors
Any variable that has not been controlled and is different from the
independent variable (IV) will have an impact on the DV.
Demand characteristics: In experiments, participants are not "passive," and
they may figure out what's going on and alter their behaviour to appease the
experimenter—or even act in an unfavourable manner. Demand
characteristics happen when a participant changes their behaviour as a result
of receiving a "cue" from the researcher or the environment.
Effects of the researcher's behaviour, whether conscious or unconscious, on
the research findings are referred to as investigator effects. (DV). This may
cover everything from the study's design to the choice of and communication
with its participants throughout the course of the investigation.
How to reduce irrelevant or confusing variables:
Randomization is the use of "chance" to account for the effects of bias, as in a
memory experiment where participants may be asked to recall words from a
list. To prevent the experimenter from choosing the order of each word, the
list should be randomly generated.
Standardization is the application of exactly the same guidelines to all
participants, including the use of the same setting, instructions, and
experiences.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller lisaantony. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.11. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
67866 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now