0.5. Experimental methods Flashcards
1
Q
Laboratory experiment
A
Conducted in a carefully controlled environment
2
Q
Strengths of a laboratory experiment
A
- highly controlled environment
- can infer cause and effect relationship
- ethical as ppts know they are taking part
- can be replicated
3
Q
Limitations of a laboratory experiment
A
- artificial situation
- low ecological validity
- lack of mundane realism
- participant effects (all different)
- demand characteristics
4
Q
Field experiment
A
Takes place in a natural environment, IV manipulated
5
Q
Strengths of a field experiment
A
- high ecological validity as conducted in a real life situation
- natural behaviour from ppts
6
Q
Limitations of a field experiment
A
- less ethical (as ppts are not always aware they’re taking part in an experiment)
7
Q
Natural experiment
A
Used to investigate a casual relationship in situations where the IV cannot be manipulated by an experimenter
8
Q
Strengths of a natural experiment
A
- allows research where the IV cannot be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons e.g. studies on privation
- enables psychologists to study real problems (increases mundane realism and validity)
9
Q
Limitations of a natural experiment
A
- cannot demonstrate casual relationships (IV not directly manipulated)
- a lot of extraneous variables
- can only be used when conditions vary naturally
- ppts may be aware they are being studied (ppt effects, investigator effects, demand characteristics)
10
Q
Quasi experiment
A
IV not manipulated and based on pre-existing differences in people (age, gender)
The DV is naturally occurring
11
Q
Strengths of a quasi experiment
A
- allows comparisons between types of people
- high control
12
Q
Limitations of a quasi experiment
A
- can only be used where conditions vary naturally
- ppts may be aware of being studied, and are not randomly allocated (affects DV)
The DV may be a fairly artificial task, reducing ecological validity
