experimental method

Question 1

name the 4 types of experiments

Answer 1

lab, field, natural and quasi

Question 2

define the 4 types of experiments

Answer 2

lab - conducted in a special environment where variables can be carefully controlled

field - conducted in a more natural environment and the IV is deliberately manipulated by the researcher and the researcher measures the DV

natural - conducted when it isn’t possible, for ethical or practical reasons, to manipulate the IV, meaning the IV varies naturally

quasi - when the IV is naturally occurring and the DV may be measured in a lab

Question 3

strengths and weaknesses of lab experiments

Answer 3

strengths - high control over EVs/CVs and replication is easier (meaning higher reliability)

weaknesses - may lack ecological validity and increased likelihood of demand characteristics

Question 4

strengths and weaknesses of field experiments

Answer 4

strengths - higher ecological validity and decreased likelihood of demand characteristics

weaknesses - may be more difficult to replicate (less reliable?) and ethical issues such as lack of informed consent

Question 5

strengths and weaknesses of natural experiments

Answer 5

strengths - provides opportunities for research that may not otherwise be undertaken for practical or ethical reasons and high external validity

weaknesses - reduced number of opportunities, lack of random allocation and if conducted in a lab may lack ecological validity and demand characteristics may be an issue

Question 6

strengths and weaknesses of quasi experiments

Answer 6

strengths - carried out under controlled conditions which can improve replicability

weaknesses - risk of CVs, the IV isn’t changed deliberately so cannot claim the IV has caused any observed change

Question 7

what is the main difference between field and quasi experiments?

Answer 7

the way the interventions are assigned to the groups
field - random allocation
quasi - allocation isn’t random