1.
Experimental Method
Aim : The overall purpose of the study. Example: to investigate the effect of sleep on memory.
Hypotheses :
Null hypothesis : Predicts no difference or no relationship.
Alternative hypothesis : Predicts a difference or relationship.
Directional : States the direction of the effect.
Non-directional : Predicts an effect but not the direction.
Variables :
Independent variable (IV): What the researcher manipulates.
Dependent variable (DV): What is measured.
Operationalisation : Variables must be written in measurable terms.
Example: “Memory” → number of words recalled from a list of 20 in 2 minutes.
2. Experimental Design
Independent groups (red): Different participants in each condition.
Strength : No order effects.
Weakness : Risk of participant variables.
Repeated measures (red): Same participants in all conditions.
Strength : Controls participant variables.
Weakness : Risk of order effects (fatigue, practice, boredom).
Matched pairs (red): Participants are paired on important variables.
Strength : Reduces participant variables.
Weakness : Time-consuming and difficult to match accurately.
3. Research Issues
Extraneous variables : Extra variables that might affect the DV. Should be controlled.
Confounding variable : Uncontrolled variables that do affect the DV, making results invalid.
Demand characteristic : Participants guess the aim and change behaviour.
Investigator effect : The researcher influences participants, consciously or unconsciously.
4. Ethics
Informed consent : Participants must be told the nature of the study and agree to take part.
Deception : Should be avoided, but sometimes necessary. Participants must be debriefed afterwards.
Protection from harm: Participants must not suffer physical or psychological harm beyond everyday risks.
Privacy and confidentiality : Participants’ information must be kept private and anonymised.