Page |1
PSYC 2001 Final Exam Questions with
Detailed Solutions Graded A+ 2026
experimental research design
a research strategy that attempts to establish the existence of a cause and effect
relationship between two variables by manipulating one variable while measuring
the second variable and controlling all other variables.
manipulated variable
a variable that is controlled such as when the researcher assigns participants to a
particular level (value) of the variable
independent variable
variable that is manipulated
dependent variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of
the independent variable.
random assignment
A procedure in which a random process is used to assign participants to treatment
conditions
matching
The assignment of individuals to groups so that a specific variable is balanced or
matched across the groups
statistical control
PSYC 2001
, Page |2
It is possible to mathematically remove the contribution of a variable (see diagram
in bivariate correlation lecture for more info)
pretest-posttest design
An experiment using an independent-groups design in which participants are tested
on the key dependent variable twice: once before and once after exposure to the
independent variable.
within groups design
an experimental design in which each participant is presented with all levels of the
independent variable
advantages of within groups design
need fewer participants, eliminates problems of individual differences
disadvantages of within groups design
order-related factors may influence scores, experiencing both levels of the IV
might change participant behavior
design confound
an experimenter's mistake in designing the IV
selection effects
participants in one level of the IV are systematically different from participants in
other levels
solution to selection effects
random assignment to ensure no systematic difference between groups
order effects
PSYC 2001
, Page |3
being exposed to one condition changes how participants react to the other
condition
practice effects
participants get better or bored/tired
carryover effects
contamination carries over from one condition to the next
Counterbalancing
presenting levels of the IV to participants in different sequences
what is the goal of counterbalancing
use every possible order of treatments with an equal number of individuals
participating in each sequence
condition
One of the levels of the independent variable in an experiment.
control variable
In an experiment, a variable that a researcher holds constant on purpose.
three rules for causation
1. covariance
2. temporal precedence
3. internal validity
Three threats to internal validity
observer bias, demand characteristics, placebo effect
PSYC 2001
PSYC 2001 Final Exam Questions with
Detailed Solutions Graded A+ 2026
experimental research design
a research strategy that attempts to establish the existence of a cause and effect
relationship between two variables by manipulating one variable while measuring
the second variable and controlling all other variables.
manipulated variable
a variable that is controlled such as when the researcher assigns participants to a
particular level (value) of the variable
independent variable
variable that is manipulated
dependent variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of
the independent variable.
random assignment
A procedure in which a random process is used to assign participants to treatment
conditions
matching
The assignment of individuals to groups so that a specific variable is balanced or
matched across the groups
statistical control
PSYC 2001
, Page |2
It is possible to mathematically remove the contribution of a variable (see diagram
in bivariate correlation lecture for more info)
pretest-posttest design
An experiment using an independent-groups design in which participants are tested
on the key dependent variable twice: once before and once after exposure to the
independent variable.
within groups design
an experimental design in which each participant is presented with all levels of the
independent variable
advantages of within groups design
need fewer participants, eliminates problems of individual differences
disadvantages of within groups design
order-related factors may influence scores, experiencing both levels of the IV
might change participant behavior
design confound
an experimenter's mistake in designing the IV
selection effects
participants in one level of the IV are systematically different from participants in
other levels
solution to selection effects
random assignment to ensure no systematic difference between groups
order effects
PSYC 2001
, Page |3
being exposed to one condition changes how participants react to the other
condition
practice effects
participants get better or bored/tired
carryover effects
contamination carries over from one condition to the next
Counterbalancing
presenting levels of the IV to participants in different sequences
what is the goal of counterbalancing
use every possible order of treatments with an equal number of individuals
participating in each sequence
condition
One of the levels of the independent variable in an experiment.
control variable
In an experiment, a variable that a researcher holds constant on purpose.
three rules for causation
1. covariance
2. temporal precedence
3. internal validity
Three threats to internal validity
observer bias, demand characteristics, placebo effect
PSYC 2001
