Research Methods Part Two

Recap

So We Know… Psychologists undertake tests and experiments to prove/disprove an idea or theory. Tests need to be scientific and objective A popular way of testing by psychologists is by undertaking a Laboratory/Controlled Experiment.

So We Know… That these Laboratory/Controlled Experiments don’t have to always be in a science lab! Think Milgram. But Laboratory/Controlled Experiments allow us to control variables. A variable is something that we can vary or change.

An Independent Variable. An independent variable is something which is altered to see what the effect is. The experimenter alters this independent variable to see the effect it has on the Dependent Variable.

The Dependent Variable This is the variable the experimenter measures. This is done after making changes to the Independent Variable that are assumed to affect the Dependent Variable.

So in our Controlled Experiment The Independent Variable is sunlight (as we changed the amount of light given to the plants) The Dependent Variable is the growth (Height is what we measure).

Extraneous Variables Other variables can affect results if we do not control them. Researchers need to make sure that it is the change/manipulation of the Independent Variable that has resulted in changes in the Dependent Variable. They are often called Confounding Variables.

Extraneous Variables/ Confounding Variables. Independent Variable Dependent Variable Influences Extraneous Variables Confounding

4 Types of Extraneous Variables Situational Variables Participant/Person Variables Investigator/Experimenter Effects Demand Characteristics

1. Situational Variables Aspects of the environment that might affect the participant’s behaviour, e.g. noise, temperature, lighting conditions, etc. Should be controlled and the same for all. This could be using soil in one pot and compost in the other pot

2. Participant Variables Ways in which each participant varies from each other, and how this could affect the results e.g. their mood, intelligence, anxiety, nerves, concentration etc. Differences in our original seeds, some may be prefect, some a bit dry

3. Investigator/Experimenter Effects These are the ways that an experimenter can accidentally influence the participant through their appearance or behaviour. Unintentional clues about what the experiment is about.

4. Demand Characteristics  A subtle cue that makes participants aware of what the experimenter expects to find or how participants are expected to behave. They behave in a way they think the experimenter wants.

What is the Independent Variable? Write down… don’t shout out! An Example… If I wanted to investigate the effects of alcohol on driving ability… What is the Independent Variable? What is the Dependent Variable?

In Pairs… Compare your answers… Stick to Situational and Participant Variables! Compare your answers… Together, think up some extraneous variables that could impact the findings.

My Answers… Used to drinking. Body Size Male v Female Full Stomach Driving Experience Driving Ability Tiredness Time of Day Type of Car Used to Car Computer Simulator/IT Experience

For 10 minutes… Keep it short and keep it simple! Come up with your own simple mini experiment: State your independent, dependent and possible extraneous variables. Keep it short and keep it simple!

If these extraneous variables are not controlled they may become confounding variables, because they could go on to affect the results of the experiment.

Watch this…and work them out Dependent and Independent Variables

Session 3 ~ Psychological Methods

Get into groups of 3. One group per table Don’t use your files Get into groups of 3! One group per table Don’t use your files! This is all your BRAIN… Use an iPad Go to Kahoot.it Choose Team V Team Mode Choose Team Name Play Game Kahoot Quiz!!

Remember this unit is all about how Psychologists Test their Theories! So far we have looked at Laboratory/ Controlled Experiments: Strengths: Controlled Replication Casual Relationships Weaknesses: Artificial Demand Characteristics Ethical Issues

B. Field Experiments ~ Done outside the Lab Done in the everyday environment. The independent variable is still manipulated, but in a real-life setting (so cannot really control extraneous variables).

B. Field Experiments Example of a Field Experiment is the Hofling Hospital Experiment Example of a Field Experiment

B. Field Experiments Strengths: Weaknesses: Ecological Validity (relate to real life) Causal Relationships Less Demand Characteristics Weaknesses: Less control of extraneous variables Ethics

C. Natural Experiments ~ Measures but does not control variables These types of studies measure variables which are not directly manipulated by the experimenter.

C. Natural Experiments A Natural Experiment

C. Natural Experiments Strengths: Weaknesses: Ethics (you can study things that may be unethical to manipulate Weaknesses: No control over variables Ethics

D. Observations ~ Observing but not interfering Observing subjects in their natural environment. You do not interfere in any way with the subjects being studied.

Observations V Experiments D. Observations Three Types of Observation Studies Controlled Observations Natural Observations Participant Observations An example of an observational study is that of Bandura (1961) and Ainsworth (1971, 1978)  Observations V Experiments

D. Observations Strengths: Weaknesses: High ecological validity as behaviour is natural and no demand characteristics Weaknesses: Can not control for extraneous variables, which may affect behaviour Observer Bias ~ may record what they want to see or focus on Ethics ~ Observing those who don’t realise it

E. Questionnaires Like a written interview. Can be carried out face to face, by phone, online or post. Provide a relatively cheap, quick and efficient way of obtaining large amounts of information from a large sample of people.

E. Questionnaires Weaknesses: Strengths: Highly practical and a lot of information can be collected very cheaply Weaknesses: Biased samples ~ some people more likely to complete Self reporting ~want to been seen in a good light Ethics ~ confidentiality around sensitive issues