Psychological research uses systematic methods to describe, predict, and explain behavior. Descriptive and correlational designs observe variables as they already exist and look for associations between them, without changing anything. The experimental method is different: it deliberately manipulates variables so you can firmly establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Exams love asking you to spot the independent and dependent variables in a hypothetical scenario; the independent variable is the one being manipulated, and the dependent variable is the one being measured. The biggest trap of all is confusing correlation with causation, so drill this in: even strongly correlated variables tell you nothing about which one causes the other. Also distinguish random assignment, putting already-selected participants into groups, from random sampling, picking participants from a broader population.
Part of Basic Psychology, module “Research Methods & Statistics”. Sign in (free) to read the full notes, flashcards and the lesson quiz.