SOCY 210 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Design Of Experiments, Random Assignment, Internal Validity

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Social Sci, Edu and Soc Work - Sociology
• Course: SOCY 210
• Professor: Fiona Kay

Document Summary

Experimental research builds upon the principals of the positivist approach more directly than do the other research techniques. In an experiment: 1) begin with a hypothesis, 2) modify something in the situation, 3) compare outcomes with and without the modification. Random assignment: dividing subjects into groups at the beginning of experimental research using a random process, so the experimenter can treat the groups as equivalent: random in a statistical or mathematical sense, unbiased. Treatment what the independent variable in experimental research is called. Dependent variable or outcomes are the physical conditions, social behaviours, attitudes, feelings, or beliefs of subjects that change in response to the treatment. Pretest is the measurement of the dependent variable prior to the treatment after the treatment. Post test is the measurement of the dependent variable. Experimental group: is the group that receives the treatment in experimental research treatment in experimental research. Control group: is the group that does not receive the.