Why Use Experimental Methods?

A true experiment is the best method for finding out whether one thing really causes another

Experimental Research in Social Psychology

Why learn experimental methods?
1. Inevitably, we will be called upon to do research in some form. 2. Understanding research methods prepares us to evaluate the research we read about. 3. Training in social psychology improves ability to reason about everyday problems (Lehman, Lempert & Nisbett, 1988)

Why Use Other Methods?

1. The researcher is not interested in a cause and effect relationship 2. There are some situations where experiments are unethical or impossible
3. Researchers may use nonexperimental methods to supplement experimental research

Understanding through Prediction, Control and Theory Building

Theory
A set of statements designed to explain a set of phenomena; more encompassing than a hypothesis

Hypothesis
A statement, usually designed to be tested by an experiment that tentatively expresses a cause-andeffect relationship with variables.

What Makes a Good Theory?

Incorporates existing facts
It is testable Predictions made by the theory are supported by the findings of new research It conforms to the law of parsimony

From Theory to Testable Questions

Operational Definition
A specific, observable response that is used to measure a concept

From Theory to Testable Questions

Self-Report Measures
Socially Desirable Responding a form of responding that involves giving answers that portray the respondent in a positive light

From Theory to Testable Questions

Behavioural Meaures
Measurement by observing behaviour Often unobtrusive

Experimental Research
Reliability and Validity
Validity the ability of a test to measure what it was designed to measure. Are we really measuring what we say we are?

Experimental Research
Reliability Reliability the repeatability of a measurement. Basically, the extent to which the measurement device yields the same approximate results when utilized repeatedly under the same conditions.

Correlational Research

Purpose: Predicting behaviour and/or looking for relationships between variables Research tactics: Statistical correlations based on two or more variables

Correlational Research
Surveys
A correlational study in which the researchers asks questions to respondents
Representative samples through random sampling

Correlational Research
Archival Research
Investigations that are based on preexisting information

Correlational Research
Observational Studies
Researchers watch participants and code measure from the observed behaviour

Correlational Research
Observational Studies
Participant-Observation Research a researcher joins an ongoing group to observe members behaviour.

Possible Causal Relation

Interpreting Correlation Coefficients

Generating Research Ideas

The Functional Approach to Theory Development
Part of the scientific process involves building on previous research in order to attempt to clarify issues and lead to new discoveries.

From An Idea to the Lab

Experimental Realization the transformation of the concepts of the hypothesis into specific, observable events
Experimental realism refers to the impact the experiment has on the subjects Mundane realism refers to how similar the events in lab are to the events that typically happen in real life.

Experimental Research
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Experimental research determines cause and effect relationships Three essential characteristics: 1. The researcher manipulates one variable (the independent variable) 2. The researcher measures whether this manipulation produces change in a second variable (the dependent variable) 3. The researcher tries to control for extraneous (or confounding) variables.

Independent, Dependent, and Extraneous Variables

Independent Variable variable that is manipulated in an experiment

Independent, Dependent, and Extraneous Variables

Dependent Variable variable whose values are (in principle) the result of the manipulation of one or more independent variables

Independent, Dependent, and Extraneous Variables

Extraneous (Confounding) Variables
Potential source of error in an experiment; must be held consant across conditions

Experimental Research
Random Assignment a procedure in which each participant is equally likely to take part in any of the experimental conditions

Experimental Research
Demand Characteristics
Cues in a study that suggest to participants how they are supposed to respond.

Internal and External Validity

Internal Validity: Refers to how well a study is run (research design, operational definitions used, how variables were measured, what was/wasnt measured, etc.)

External Validity: The extent to which a studys results can be generalized to other people or settings.

Experimental Research
Threats to the Validity of Research
Experimenter Bias (Experimenter Expectancy Effects)
When an investigator has certain expectations about the outcome of an experiment, these expectations may contaminate the entire experience. The experimenter can subtly alter his or her behaviour in carrying out the experiment in a number of ways and so produce biased results.

Experimental Research
Threats to the Validity of Research
Experimenter Bias (Experimenter Expectancy Effects)

Double-blind procedures minimize both participant placebo effects and experimenter bias.
Placebo effect an effect on behaviour that is caused by an inert substance that cannot be distinguished from a real medication by the patient or subject.

Single-Factor Experiment
Single Factor Experiment
A study that involves only one independent variable

Factorial Design
In a factorial design, two or more independent variables are tested so that every level of on variable occurs with every level of the others.

Experimental Concerns
Experimental Realism
The extent to which the setting of the study feels realistic and involving to participants and elicits spontaneous behaviour

Experimental Concerns
Mundane Realism
The extent to which the studys setting looks and feels like the outside world.

Experimental Research
Keys to Successful Experimental Studies
1. keep complete records of observations and data analyses in a form that other researchers can understand and evaluate standardize all procedures use operational definitions minimize bias and control confounds

2. 3. 4.

Experimental Research
Strengths and Weaknesses of Experimental Research
Strength: conclusions about cause-and-effect can be drawn Weaknesses: artificial nature of experiments ethical and practical issues

Ethics

Human Experiments at Holmesburg Prison

Ethics (Human)
Minimize harm to participants (physical or mental)
Participants should not be exposed to harmful or dangerous research procedures If an investigation requires some deception of participants, the researcher is required to explain and correct any misunderstandings as soon as possible Maximize benefits of research to participants and society

Ethics (Human)
Subjects should be fully informed about the nature of the research Informed consent to participate must be voluntary Should not intrude on private lives of participants without permission Information about participant should be kept anonymous or confidential unless they agree to make it public

Vulnerable populations should be treated with special care.