Experimental Research

Question 1

What are the 4 types of experiments in psychology?

Answer 1

1) Field
2) Lab
2) Natural
3) Quasi

Question 2

Descibe and evaluate a Lab Experiment

Answer 2

An experiment conducted in an artificial, controlled environment where the IV is manipulated to see the effect of the DV
+ ** *Control over extraneous variables, increasing validity
+ Can be easily replicated *so *high reliability
**- **Low ecological validity* due to tight control
- Possibility of demand charcateristics

Question 3

Describe and evaluate** Field Experiments**

Answer 3

Carried out in a natural surrounding/environment where there is *some control over the IV *
+ High in ecological validity due to natural setting
+ More valid behaviour and less demand characteristics so it has a higher external validity
- Increase in realism as theres no control of CV’s and EV’s
- Difficult to replicate
- Risk of deception

Question 4

Describe and Evaluate Natural experiments

Answer 4

The researcher has *no control over the IV *but the effect on the DV is still measured; event is naturally occuring
The IV varies to do with the environment/setting
+ High ecological validity
+ Poses less ethical issues
- Harder to replicate so low in reliability
- Natural event may only occur rarely

Question 5

Describe and evaluate Quasi experiment

Answer 5

The IV also changes naturally but this is to do with qualities of the participant e.g. gender and age
+ No control/ manipulation of the IV
- No control over extraneous variables