Experimental Methods

Question 1

What is a laboratory experiment?

Answer 1

• Carried out in a controlled environment
• The IV can be directly manipulated by the experimenter
• Participants can be randomly allocated to conditions

Question 2

AO3: Laboratory experiments

Answer 2

• High levels of control over variables

- High demand characteristics

Question 3

What is a field experiment?

Answer 3

• Carried out in a natural environment
• The IV can be directly manipulated
• Participants can be randomly allocated to conditions

Question 4

AO3: Field experiments

Answer 4

• High mundane realism
• Low demand characteristics
• Low levels of control of variables
• Lack of informed consent

Question 5

What is a Natural experiment?

Answer 5

• carried out in a natural or controlled environment
• Makes use of a naturally occurring difference in the IV, which is not manipulated
• Participants cannot be randomly allocated to conditions

Question 6

AO3: Natural experiments

Answer 6

• Difficult to establish cause and effect
• Ethical research with low psychological or psychical harm
• Low levels of control over variables
• High ecological validity

Question 7

What is a Quasi experiment?

Answer 7

-It can be like any other type of experiment apart from participants cannot be randomly allocated to conditions