Quantitative Research Methods Note Taking 

The first question set will always be the same. These are the questions: 
● Identify the method used and outline two characteristics of the method. 
● Describe the sampling method used in the study. 
● Suggest an alternative or additional research method giving one reason for your 
choice. 
For this reason, these notes will be structured a bit differently. We’ll be looking into 
laboratory experiments, field experiments, quasi-experiments, natural experiments 
and correlations research. Fun stuff! 

Laboratory Experiments 
● An experiment done under highly c ​ ontrolled​ conditions.  
● The objective is to establish a ​cause-and-effect​ relationship between two 
variables. 
● There is an independent variable (IV) which is the one being manipulated by the 
researcher. There is a dependent variable (DV) which is measured after the 
manipulation of the independent variable.  
● Both variables must be operationalised i.e. measureable. 
● Controlled variables are very important. This includes things like using 
standardised instructions​.  
● There is random allocation to avoid demand characteristics. 

Field Experiments 
● A type of experiment where the IV is manipulated but the experiment is carried 
out in a real-life setting. 
● Extraneous variables can’t be controlled--huge limitation. 
● There are ethical considerations because it’s difficult to get informed consent 
and for debriefing to happen. Why? 
● Well, you’re observing people in real-life. If you tell them they’re being 
observed, they’re going to show demand characteristics. We don’t like demand 
characteristics. They reduce the validity of results. 
● It’s difficult to debrief because the participants don’t even know they’re being 
observed! 

Natural Experiments 
● A type of experiment where researchers find naturally occurring variables and 
study them. 
 ● Use ​pre-test, post-test design​ meaning behaviour is measured before and after 
variable is introduced. 
● Don’t show causation but can ​imply​ a causal relationship between IV and DV. 

Quasi-experiments
● A type of experiment where participants are grouped based on a shared 
characteristic of interest. 
● This is a sub-set of natural experiments.  
● Don’t show causation but can ​imply​ a causal relationship between IV and DV. 

Correlations Research 
● A type of experiment where there are two variables but not known as IV and DV. 
Instead, they’re co-variables. 
● The aim is to establish a correlation. 
● Bidirectional ambiguity i​ s often seen where it’s impossible to know whether x 
causes y or vice versa because there may be another variable at play.