Sociology 2206A/B Study Guide - Final Guide: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Dependent And Independent Variables, Internal Validity
20 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Topics appropriate to experiment: - projects involving limited and well-defined concepts and propositions. Experiments: - social researchers typically select a group of subjects, do something to them, and observe effect of what was done. Involve: taking action, observing consequences of that action. Classical experiment: 1) independent/dependent variables (something acting on something else): Independent (cause) takes form of stimulus, cause dependent (effect: pretesting (measurement of dependent variable along subjects) and post-testing (measure of dependent variable among subjects after they have been exposed to independent variable) Any changes that happen can be because of independent variable. Cannot be certain about independent variable causing dependent. Internal validity eliminating all possible alternatives. External validity generalizable to broader public (may not be representative: experimental/control groups. Experimental group subject to whom an experimental stimulus = administered. Control group subjects to whom no experimental stimulus is administered and who should resemble experimental groups in other respects.
