A2c1 Evaluating experiments

Question 1

Strengths of experiments

Answer 1

Informed consent- what will happen to participants will be explained in a laboratory experiment
Right to withdraw- a participant’s right to withdraw can be explained when they come into a laboratory
Only the IV affects the DV- controls can be implemented to make sure this happens
The DV can be accurately measured- in a laboratory, lots of equipment is available to make sure the DV is measured accurately

Question 2

Weaknesses of experiments

Answer 2

Hiding aims- aims need to be hidden as participants might change their behavior after knowing it to please the researcher
Deception- Not knowing the purpose of the experiment could upset participants
Representing real life- laboratory experiments are unfamiliar for participants and mean that they might behave differently and change results