experimental methods

Question 1

Types of EXPERIMENTAL METHODS

Answer 1

• lab
• field
• quasi
• online research

Question 2

experimental methods:
LAB EXPERIMENT

Answer 2

takes place in a CONTROLLED, ARTIFICIAL SETTING, using STANDARDISED PROCEDURES and the research WILL MANIPULATE at least the IV

Question 3

3 STRENGTHS of LAB EXPERIMENTS

Answer 3

(+) EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES can be CONTROLLED

(+) often data collected is QUANTITATIVE and thus HIGHLY OBJECTIVE

(+) uses STANDARDISED PROCEDURES that can be REPLICATED by other researchers.

Question 4

3 WEAKNESSES of LAB EXPERIMENTS

Answer 4

(-) LOW ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY as they often take place under ARTIFICIAL CONDITIONS

(-) PPs are nearly ALWAYS AWARE they are in a LAB EXPERIMENT- DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS.

(-) SUSCEPTIBLE to EXPERIMENTER EFFECTS

Question 5

experimental methods:
FIELD EXPERIMENT

Answer 5

an EXPERIMENT that takes place in a NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, often the PPs’ own

Question 6

2 STRENGTHS of FIELD EXPERIMENTS

Answer 6

(+) HIGHER MUNDANE REALISM, leads to HIGHER ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY

(+) REDUCED DEMAND CHARACERISTICS, the AIMS of the STUDY are LESS APPARENT, leading to REDUCED CHANCES of PPs EFFECTS.

Question 7

3 WEAKNESSES of FIELD EXPERIMENTS

Answer 7

(-) HARDER to CONTROL EXTRANEOUS and CONFOUDING VARIABLES

(-) RAISES ETHICAL ISSUES, PPs DON’T ALWAYS know they are part of an EXPERIMENT and so CANNOT GIVE INFORMED CONSENT

(-) HARDER to REPLICATE than LAB EXPERIMENTS, leading to ISSUES with RELIABILTY

Question 8

experimental methods:
QUASI-EXPERIMENT

Answer 8

there are TWO TYPES:
1.NATURAL EXPERIMENTS
the IV is a NATURALLY OCCURING EVENT eg NATURAL DISASTER

2. DIFFERENCE STUDIES
   the IV is a PRE-EXISTING DIFFERENCE between PPs eg GENDER

in BOTH the IV is NOT DIRECTLY MANIPULATED

Question 9

STRENGTHS of QUASI-EXPERIMENTS

Answer 9

(+) NATURAL EXPERIMENTS allow psychologists to STUDY REAL PROBLEMS like the EFFECTS of disasters on health

Question 9

3 WEAKNESSES of QUASI-EXPERIMENTS

Answer 9

(-) CANNOT draw DEFINITE CAUSE and EFFECT conclusions due to IV NOT BEING DIRECTLY MANIPULATED

(-) PPs VARIABLES may HAVE an EFFECT

(-) REPLICATION can be DIFFICULT or IMPOSSIBLE

Question 10

experimental methods:
ONLINE RESEARCH

Answer 10

mainly QUESTIONNAIRES

Question 11

STRENGTHS of ONLINE RESEARCH

Answer 11

(+) EASY to OBTAIN LARGE sample sizes

(+) SAMPLE tends to be MORE DIVERSE: RACE + GENDER

(+) CHEAPER than conducting research FACE to FACE

Question 12

WEAKNESSES of ONLINE RESEARCH

Answer 12

(-) MAY still end up with a BIASED SAMPLE

(-) LIMITED research can take place - MAINLY QUESTIONNAIRES

(-) NO way to know if any EXTRANEOUS + CONFOUNDING variables COULD HAVE AN EFFECT