Experimental methods Flashcards
Operationalise IV and DV
Make IV specific and detailed, make DV measurable
What is a lab experiment
An experiment that takes place in a highly controlled environment, the researcher has full control over all variables
+ Lab experiments
- High internal validity
- Easily replicable because of the use of standard procedures
- Confident in establishing the cause + effect relationship, because all variables are controlled
Negatives Lab experiments
- Low ecological validity – cannot be easily replicable (low mundane realism)
- P’s may change their behavior because they of demand characteristics
what is a field experiment
An experiment that takes place in a natural setting
+ Field experiment
- High ecological validity – takes place in a natural setting so results have high mundane realism
- P’s won’t show demand characteristics because they may not know they are in an experiment
Negatives Field experiment
- Low internal validity because of extraneous variables
What is a natural experiment
experimenter cannot manipulate the IV
+ Natural experiment
- Allows research into areas that could never be done otherwise because of ethical/cost reasons
- High external validity – changes would’ve happened either way with/without the researcher so there are no demand characteristics
Negatives Natural experiment
- Extraneous variables can’t be controlled so a cause + effect relationship cant be established
- Studies cant be replicated
What is a Quasi experiment
P’s cannot be assigned to different levels of IV ( E.G. they are in a depressed group or not)
+ Quasi experiment
Only way to study factors
Negatives Quasi experiment
Confounding variables ( other factors related to the IV these change systematically and alter the measurement of the DV)
