2) Types of experiment key terms

Question 1

What is meant by a ‘standardised procedure’?

Answer 1

A consistent and uniform set of instructions and methods used in a research study

Question 2

What is a ‘lab experiment’?

Answer 2

An experiment conducted in an artificial controlled environment – there is usually a standardised procedure. The participants are aware that they are taking part in a study
(E.g. memory recall on a computer in a lab)

Question 3

What is a ‘field experiment’?

Answer 3

An experiment conducted in a more natural environment – anywhere outside a lab where the investigated behaviour could naturally occur. The participants are not aware that they are taking part in a study
(E.g. bystander effect on a street)

Question 4

What is a quasi experiment?

Answer 4

Have an IV based on a natural existing difference between people (e.g. age or gender) – the researcher does not manipulate the IV, it simply exists and therefore participants cannot be randomly assigned to conditions
For this reason, it is not a ‘true’ experiment
(E.g. boys vs girls)

Question 5

What is meant by reliability?

Answer 5

Is a measure of whether something stays the same (I.e. consistent)

Question 6

What is meant by ecological validity?

Answer 6

The extent to which the findings of a study can be generalised to the real-world settings and situations

Question 7

What is mundane realism?

Answer 7

The degree to which an experiment or study resembles real-life situations and experiences

Question 8

What is meant by internal validity?

Answer 8

The extent to which a research study accurately identifies a casual relationship between variables, ruling out alternative explanations

Question 9

What is meant by demand characteristics?

Answer 9

Cues or hints within a study that may lead participants to guess the researcher’s hypothesis or expected outcomes, potentially influencing their behaviour

Question 10

What is meant by random allocation?

Answer 10

Assigning participants to different groups or conditions in an experiment in a random and unbiased manner

Question 11

What is meant by standardised procedure?

Answer 11

A consistent and uniform set of instructions and methods used in a research study

Question 12

What are the pros of lab experiments?

Answer 12

Pros -> EV’s can be effectively controlled / high internal validity / can replicate the experiment / can test if the results are reliable

Question 13

What are the cons of lab experiments?

Answer 13

Cons -> low ecological validity / lacks mundane realism / can be easy for participants to guess the aim = demand characteristics / low internal validity

Question 14

What are the pros of field experiments?

Answer 14

Pros -> environment is natural = higher ecological validity / participants are unaware = reduction in demand characteristics

Question 15

What are the cons of field experiments?

Answer 15

Cons -> less EV control / low internal validity / ethical issues (lack of consent from participants)

Question 16

What are the pros of natural experiments?

Answer 16

Pros -> provide opportunities for research / high ecological validity

Question 17

What are the cons of natural experiments?

Answer 17

Cons -> difficult to establish causality / events happens rarely = low research opportunities / participants are not allocated randomly

Question 18

What are the pros of quasi experiments?

Answer 18

Pros -> carried out in controlled conditions

Question 19

What are the cons of quasi experiments?

Answer 19

Cons -> lack of random assignment = difficult to determine causality / internal validity threats / group bias