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Approaches and Research
Methods
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Strengths & Weaknesses of
Experiment Types
STRENGTHS
more control of the
experiment
More ethical as it iseasy to get consent
WEAKNESSES
Lacks ecological
validity not in
natural setting High demand
characteristics as
they can see what
is expected of them
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Strengths & Weaknesses of
Experiment Types
STRENGTHS
Higher ecological
validity
Lower demandcharacteristics
WEAKNESSES
Can be unethical:
difficult to get
consent e.g.Piliavin
Experimenter has
less controlPiliavin
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Strengths & Weaknesses of
Experiment Types
STRENGTHS
Higher ecological
validity as there is
no tempering withthe IV
WEAKNESSES
Difficult to repeat
as the IV is
naturally occurring
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Design of the Experiment
STRENGTHS
Less demand
characteristics as
they will not learnconditions
WEAKNESSES
More difficult to
compare as there
could be severalreasons such as
gender etc.
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Design of the Experiment
STRENGTHS
More accurate and
easy to compare
the results Costs less than
getting twice as
many participants
WEAKNESSES
Demand
characteristics:
participants maybecome familiar
with what is
expected
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Design of the Experiment
STRENGTHS
Less demand
characteristics as
the study wont belearnt over time
WEAKNESSES
Using different
participants in
same condition notas accurate as
originally thought to
be
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Appropriate Hypothesis
Alternate hypothesis Testable statement that proposes the expected
outcome of the study
Suggests significant difference between resultsof the two conditions
Null hypothesis Findings not consequences of predicted effect
but due to chance
Two-tailed hypothesis
Predict that the outcome could fall in one of twodirections
One-tailed hypothesis Predict that the outcome will fall in one direction
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Operationalising a Hypothesis
Hypothesis should contain a clearstatement of the IV and the DV as well
as the word significantand an
indication as to whether it is one-tailed, two-tailed or null.
Peop le in a vi l lage w i l l pos t a
signi f icant ly greater number ofapparent ly m islaid letters than
people in a city[example]
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The Procedure
IV if looking for differences between 2 people, you need 2groups of participants. This is the variable that CHANGES
DV this has an effect on the materials used to measure thisvariable. This is the variable that is MEASURED
Controls ensure extraneous variables are controlled as faras possible (particularly for simple things such as age, gender
etc.) Ethical guidelines ensure the study follows for participants:
1. Consent
2. No deception
3. Right to withdraw
4. Prevention from Harm5. Confidentiality
6. Debreifing
A step by step procedure of what participants will be doingis ideal
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The Procedure continued...
Ethical guidelines ensure the studyfollows for participants:1. Consent
2. No deception3. Right to withdraw
4. Prevention from harm
5. Confidentiality
6. Debriefing
A step by step procedure of whatparticipants will be doing is ideal
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Decide on a Sample
STRENGTHS
Varied selection of
participants
WEAKNESSES
Can be
ethnocentric
(biased towardsexperimenters
cultural influence)
Available Participants
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Decide on a Sample
STRENGTHS
Completely fair
Mixture of
participants
WEAKNESSES
No theory behind
how sample is
chosen
An equal chance of being chosen
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Decide on a Sample
STRENGTHS
Ethically sound
Informed consent
received
WEAKNESSES
Not always a
varied sample
Participants mayhave time
Participants may be
more motivated
Volunteers