Experimental Methods

Question 1

what is a laboratory experiment

Answer 1

• an enxperiment conducted in a controlled environment, where the IV is manipulated to see its effec of the DV, and extraneous variables are controlled

Question 2

2 strengths of a lb experiment

Answer 2

1. easier to control potential extraneous variables so can have high precision and cause and effect can be established in variables controlled
2. if well carried out, and clearly reported then can be easily repeated by other researchers and if same or similar results obtained, confidenced increased

Question 3

2 limitations of lab experiments

Answer 3

1. loss of ecological validity as the highly controlled environment can mae experiment artificial so results may not be generalisable to outside world/irl situations
2. participants may show DCs as aware they are participating in an experiment - this can reduce the validity

Question 4

what is a field experiment?

Answer 4

an experiment that takes place in a natural setting where the research manipulates the IV to investigate its effect on the DV

Question 5

2 strengths of a field experiment

Answer 5

1. higher ecological validity as enviroment is natural so may produce more valid and authentic behaviour
2. reduction of DCs as participants usually unaware of their participation

Question 6

2 weaknesses of a field experiment

Answer 6

1. difficult to control EVs outside lab setting so cause and effect may be harder to establish and precise replication often not possible
2. if participants unaware of study, cannot give informed consent so research may be an invasion of privacy so therefore there are ethical issues

Question 7

what is a natural experiment?

Answer 7

an experiment where the IV is not manipulated (naturally occuring) and the researcher records its effects on the DV
may occur in a lab

Question 8

2 strengths of a natural experiment?

Answer 8

1. sensitive issues can be studied, where the IV cannot ethically be manipulated
2. has high external validity as usually involve study of real life issues as they happen so are more realistic

Question 9

2 weaknesses of natural experiments

Answer 9

1. IV not manipulated so less degree of control of IV and extraneous variables, so cause and effect cnnot easily be established
2. IV is naturally occurring so may only occur rarely, reducing available opputtunities for research

Question 10

what is a quasi-experiment?

Answer 10

a study that is almost an exeriment, but lacks key features
IV is not determined by anyone and variables just exist

Question 11

2 strengths of a quasi-experiment

Answer 11

1. often under controlled conditions so have control of EVs and are repicable
2. allows comparison between different types of people

Question 12

weakness of quasi-experiments

Answer 12

cannot randomly allocate participants to conditions as allocated based on “self-selection” therefore may be confounding variables