PSYB01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Random Assignment, Longitudinal Study, Repeated Measures Design
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Basics of experimentation feature of an experiment is the degree of control a researcher has over it"s design researchers directly control what levels of independent variables are manipulated. Exercised by holding constant as many extraneous variables as possible. Relationship between independent and dependent variables cannot be confounded by a third variable provided this variable is held constant. Randomize unwanted effects that cannot be experimentally controlled either by holding them constant or by measurement. Psychology studies cannot use random assignment quasiexperiment: study where participants are not randomly assigned to an experimental and comparison group ie. comparing young and elderly participants (assignment by age, not random) Single-factor experiment: only one independent variable opposite of multifactorial designs. Comparison group: gets a different treatment from the experimental group ie. in study to improve memory experimental group did the online brain training while comparison group just did computer-based training with no mental exercise.
