Oct 9th 2018 Soci 217 · Midterm o Chapter 1- 7 o Experiments · An experiment is a mode of observation that enables researchers to probe causal relationships. Many experiments in social research are conducted under the controlled conditions of a lab, but experiments can also take advantage of natural occurrences to study the effects of events in the social world Introduction . The experiment is a mode of scientific observation in the social research . Involves taking action and noting the consequences that follow from that action · In real-life situations, we make personal experiments to develop generalized understandings of the world we live in · For example, through experimentation, students discover how much study is necessary to just pass a course or do well in it Topics Appropriate to Experiments · Relatively limited and well defined concepts and propositions . It is especially useful in hypothesis testing · Bettwe suited to explanatory than to descriptive purposes · Useful in the study of small groups . Can be applied beyond the lab to real life, called natural experiments The Classical Experiment · Three Major Pairs of Components o 1. Independent and dependant variables " Independent variables (IV) takes the form of a stimulus . The stimulus is a dichotomous variable · Defined: a variable that has only two attributes( ex. Yes or no, on or off, 1 or 0). It is also called a binominal variable o 2. Pretesting and Post testing " Pretesting: the measurement of a dependent variable among subjects before they are exposed to a stimulus representing an independent variable . To get a benchmark before the stimulis Post testing: the remeasurement of a dependant variable among subjects after they have been exposed to a stimulus representing an independent variable · We are looking for a change in our Dependant variable . Differences between the first and last measurements are them attributed to the exposure to the stimulus · Problems: Validity question- after the pretest, subjects may figure out what the test is about and not give proper answers. They may be influenced with "social desirability" in that they may not want to appear prejudiced even if they are
Oct 9th 2018 Soci 217 " If one thing moves, we want to ensure that the stimulus is the reason for change 3. Experimental and Control groups · Experimental Group: in experimentation, a group of subjects to whom an experimental stimulus is administered . The group that gets the stimulus . Control Group: in experimentation, a group of subjects to whom no experimental stimulus is administered and who should resemble the experimental group in all other respects. The comparison of the control group and the experimental group at the end of the experiment points to the effect of the experimental stimulus. . The group that does not get the stimulus . The Hawthorne Effect: a term coined in reference to a series of productivity studies at the Hawthorne plant of Western Electric company in Chicago. The researchers