Research Workshop: Experiment
This summary includes notes taken from all book chapters for this course, with exception of
chapters 2 and 16. The main lecture theory has also been integrated into this summary.
Text = New topic header
Text = Key term
= Example
o = Additional note
Week 1
Chapter 1
4 Elements of experimental designs:
1. Manipulation (multiple different/’’manipulated’’ experimental conditions participant
group(s) is/are exposed to)
o Independent variable is manipulated into two or more ‘’conditions’’
e.g. movie genre: Horror movie, comedy movie, drama movie)
2. Measurement of the dependent variable
o Dependent variable is measured to obtain a score for each ‘’condition’’
3. Comparison between groups
o DV scores in different ‘’conditions’’ are compared
4. Control
o All other variables that may have an effect are controlled for (e.g. by random
sampling, standardizing the research procedure) to make sure they do not
skew the nature of (dependent) variable scores.
Different methods of acquiring knowledge:
- Method of tenacity
= Knowledge from habit (it’s always been that way) or superstition
‘’Opposites attract’’, ‘’Drinking coffee will improve a drunk driver’s alertness’’,
‘’Breaking a mirror means 7 years of bad luck’’
- Method of intuition
= Knowledge from instinct, a ‘’gut feeling’’
‘’Spain’s going to win the match, I know so because I feel it in my gut’’
- Method of authority
, = Knowledge from expert/authority confirmation.
‘’I know this is the right medicine for me to take because my doctor prescribed it’’
Sub-method: Method of faith
= When people have unquestioning faith in an authority, accept whatever they say
as true without critical consideration (think of Gods or a dictator)
- Rational method
= Knowledge from reasoning; a logical conclusion from facts
Requires a combination of factual statements; these are called premise statements.
‘’My first product is $2, my second product is $5, so I’ll have to pay $7’’
Valid arguments= An argumentation that leads to conclusion that can logically not be
considered false (regardless if the arguments are actually based on truth)
‘’All bakeries sell meat, my father is a baker, so my father sells meat.’’
True arguments= An argumentation with propositions that are actually true (but that
may be logically refutable)
1) All bakeries sell bread 2) My father is a salesman 3) My father sells bread
- Empirical method
= Knowledge from direct sensory observation
‘’I know my total price is $7 dollars, because I saw the price tags for the products
in my cart
- The scientific method
Knowledge from thinking of specific (research) questions and finding answers to
them in systematic, step-wise manner:
1. Observe patterns. Can be behavior, natural phenomena, anything.
Often naturally leads to induction (using a small set of specific observations to
draw a conclusion about a larger population).
You can actively look for interesting patterns or run into them by coincidence;
sometimes, noticing patterns by coincidence can lead you to actively look for
confirmation of your pattern.
You notice your guy relatives play violent games more often than your girl
relatives. (Induction Guys play violent games more often than girls)
2. Form a hypothesis. Based on your observations, you form a tentative answer to
your question/explanation for the phenomenon you observed. This involves
identifying the variables involved in the relationship you hypothesize
You hypothesize guys play violent games more often than girls.
Gender, here, is your IV and Gameplay Frequency your DV. You hypothesize this
is caused by guys’ elevated testosterone levels compared to girls, which
