Methods Toward a Science of Behavior and Experience - Assignment Example

Research Designs and Methodologies Research Designs and Methodologies Part I Independent variables are the variables that the researchers have control over. In other words, an independent variable is the variable that a researcher can choose and manipulate. Also, it is what the researcher thinks will influence the dependent variable. However, in some cases, it may not be easy to manipulate independent variables (Ray, 2012). This is because it may be a parameter that is already fixed, such as something a researcher would like to assess in relation to how it influences the dependent variable such as time and color. A dependent variable, on the other hand, is what is measured in the experiment. Also, it is a variable that is affected in the research. Normally, the dependent variables act in response to the independent variables. In fact, it is referred to as dependent variable because it entirely "depends" on the variable that is independent. A confounding variable, also known as a mediator variable or a third variable, can unfavorably influence the relation between the dependent variable and independent variable. Ultimately, this may cause the examiner to analyze the results incorrectly. This implies that the results may end up showing a false or misleading correlation between the independent variable and dependent variable, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis incorrectly. In a scientific experiment, a control group is a group that is organized differently or separated from the main research where the variable that is independent cannot affect the results or the outcome of the experiment (Ray, 2012). This organized on the premise that the effects of the independent variable on the experiment are isolated hence helping to rule out alternate or differing explanations of the results obtained at the end of the experiment. In a scientific research, an experimental group is the group in which the experimental procedures are carried out. The experimental group is normally where the real study is taking place. It is in this group that the independent variable is first tested, and the corresponding changes in the variable that is dependent are recorded. Under placebo, people taking part in an experiment or study react differently upon receiving treatment, even if that treatment is neutral. In scientific experiments, a neutral treatment has no "real" impact on the dependent variable. This is called a placebo, and the positive response by participants to a placebo is normally referred to as the placebo effect. The placebo entails no medication; traditionally is identified as a "sugar pill". Placebo serves the intention of identifying the quantity, if any, of the side effects are reported as well as experiences or common symptoms that are reported within and outside the pool of treatment (Ray, 2012). It as well serves to offer an explanation of how the medication is effective at curing, treating, or even maintaining the condition or disease it has been created to cure or treat. Control refers to steps and procedures taken to diminish the impacts of extraneous variables. An extraneous variable is a variable other than the dependent and independent variable. The extraneous variables are also referred to as lurking variables. Usually control entails making the research more comparable for experimental units in all the treatment settings. There are three control strategies: the control groups, blinding and placebos. In the social sciences such as psychology, controls are the most salient elements of the experiment, as it is almost impossible to get rid of all of the bias and confounding variables. Part II One shot experimental study We studied only 10 students in 12th grade who were not performing well in their studies. At the study’s center there was a treatment that was presumed to have led to change in the students’ performance (Ray, 2012). The cautiously studied single instance was related to how the performance of students would have been had the treatment not taken place. It is presumed that the treatment worked. One group pretest-post test design We compared the college grades of 10 graduates before gaining the work experience after completing a work experience semester. After which we stated whether a change in the dependent variable or the outcome had taken place. Fundamentally, the treatment was presumed to have worked well. Pretest-posttest control group design We chose two groups with 10 participants in each, then treatment was administered to one and other was left untreated. A posttest score was then determined in order to measure the variation, after treatment, between the participants in the two groups. At the end, it was concluded that the treatment had worked so well. Statistic group comparison We compared a group of 5 people that had experienced some treatment with one that had not. We observed that the differences between the groups were assumed to be because of the treatment. Solomon four group design Here, we used a 10 member group of tested and an untested group of 10 members along with treatment. In addition, we used two control groups both with 5 members each. These allowed us to ensure that extraneous factors and confounding variables had not influenced the out come. Therefore, the experiment was a success. Post test control group design Here, we used a mean in the level of in-office blood sugar over a period of two months for both experimental group and control group (Ray, 2012). Thereafter we compared the measurement obtained from the experiment with that obtained from the control group. Within subject design When studying a case on memory, we used two treatments, anaerobic exercise and aerobic exercise. In the aerobic condition, we had 10 participants run for ten minutes, followed by taking a memory test on them. On the other hand, in the anaerobic condition, we had them lift some weights for ten minutes, followed by taking a memory test on equivalent difficulty. After these, we compared the scores of memory test in order to know the exercises that assist memory the most. With this, we also assumed that the "treatment" worked. Nonrandomized control group pretest-posttest design We used two groups, but not employed at random, and just like Pretest-posttest, the two groups were Pre-tested. At the end, it was presumed that the experiment had worked well. Simple time series This experiment consisted of two parts in which the participant were asked to assess the resemblance in noise signals. At first, there was a training phase; where the participants got introduced to the presented sound. The participants heard sequences of 3 dissimilar sounds and were asked to choose the two that they perceived to be having the same sound quality. The experiment took about 20 min. It was presumed that it worked extremely well. Control group time series This design is just the Time Series Design, and the only difference is that there is an addition of a comparison group. Reversal time series This is a design of study in which interventions are introduced and again withdrawn several times whilst the outcome is repeatedly measured over time. Alternating treatments An experimental design with two or more conditions, one a no treatment control condition, are provided in fast alternating succession (such as on alternating days or sessions) independent of the responding level; differences in responding among or between conditions are alluded to the impact of the conditions. Multiple baselines This design permits for evaluation across situations, problems or clients. It allows for causal inference. The design is extremely valuable for evaluating situations particularly where a treatment would likely to bring changes in the variable that is dependent. Simple ex post facto This is designed to explore likely casual relationships among variables that the researcher has no control over. The researcher focuses on what has happened differently for comparable group subjects. Randomized two factor Design At this point we are only interested in two factors. For instance, we studied how protein affects weight gain in mice. After the study, we presume that our treatments worked. Combined experimental and ex post facto Ex Post Facto design generally offers an alternative to examine how independent variables impact dependent variables (Ray, 2012). The purpose of experimental study, on the other hand, is to look at the possible effects that one factor may be having on another factor. In other words, combined experimental and ex post facto research examines the cause-and-effect relationships between variables. References Ray, W. (2012). Methods toward a science of behavior and experience. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. Read More