Paradigm (experimental)
In the behavioural sciences, an experimental paradigm, is an experimental setup or way of conducting a certain type of experiment that is defined by certain fine-tuned standards, and often has a theoretical background. A paradigm in this technical sense, however, is not a way of thinking as it is in the epistemological meaning.
The more paradigms which are attempted, and the more variables within a single paradigm are attempted, with the same results, the more sure one is of the results, that, "the effect is a true one and not merely a product of artifacts engendered by the use of a particular paradigm." The three core factors of paradigm design may be considered: "...the 'nuts and bolts' of the paradigm itself...; ...implementation concerns...; and resources available."
For example, the stop-signal paradigm, "is a popular experimental paradigm to study response inhibition." The cooperative pulling paradigm is used to study cooperation. The weather prediction test is a paradigm used to study procedural learning. Other examples include Skinner boxes, rat mazes, and trajectory mapping.
