SOC200H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Internal Validity
Document Summary
Experiments involve 1) taking action 2) observing consequences. Well suited to research projects involving limited and well defined concepts. Natural experiments occur in regular course of social events. Variables must be operationally defined before experiment begins. 3 major components 1) independent and dependent 2) pretesting and post testing 3) experimental and control: independent and dependant. Experiment examines effect of independent on a dependant variable. Indp is an experimental stimulus which is either present or absent. Dichotomous variable - variable with only 2 attributes. -> they compare what happens when the stimulus is present to what happens when it is not. Variable might serve as an indp variable in one experiment and as a dependant in another ex prejudice. Operational definitions must involve variety of observation methods. Must be operationally defined before experiment begins. Diff between first/last measurement are attributed to independent variable. May respond diff to second time even if attitudes remain unchanged.
