Experimental Research In Psychology And Ethical Issues

Question 1

What are the advantages of a lab experiment?

Answer 1

High degree of control which minimises extraneous variables

Greater potential for replicability

Question 2

Disadvantages of a lab experiment

Answer 2

Low ecological validity

May show demand characteristics as they are aware of the study

Question 3

What is a field study?

Answer 3

Experiment that takes place in the real world but the researcher still controls the IV
Ppts usually unaware

Question 4

Advantages of a field study

Answer 4

Hugh ecological validity

No demand characteristics

Question 5

Disadvantages of a field study

Answer 5

Less control over extraneous variables
Potentially more time- consuming and expensive
Reproducible?

Question 6

What are the ethical issues of a field experiment?

Answer 6

No consent- can’t withdraw

May be an invasion of privacy

Question 7

What is a natural experiment?

Answer 7

Where the differences between the variables are naturally occurring

Question 8

What are the advantages of a natural experiment?

Answer 8

Can test variables that would be impractical it unethical to test otherwise

Question 9

What is a quasi experiment?

Answer 9

An experiment where the IV is naturally occurring and the DV may be measured in a lab
IV could not be made to vary by anyone- the difference is fixed eg male and female

Question 10

What are the advantages of a quasi experiment?

Answer 10

Allows for comparisons to be made between different groups of people

Question 11

What are the disadvantages of both natural and quasi experiments?

Answer 11

Might be extraneous variable- lack of control of these and hard to establish cause and effect of IV and DV

Question 12

What are the ethical issues of natural and quasi experiments?

Answer 12

More ethical as the experimenter doesn’t cause the differences- have minimal impact on lives of participants
Issue of confidentiality

Question 13

How is deception dealt with according to the BPS Code of Ethics?

Answer 13

Intentionally deceiving ppts should be avoided
Debriefing
Ensure the ppt is given right to withdraw their data
Deception is approved by ethics committee, costs weighed up against benefits

Question 14

What are the difficulties of attempting to deal with deception?

Answer 14

May be difficult to judge the costs prior to the study
Debriefing may not be sufficient and ppts may feel extreme embarrassment
May be necessary to deceive ppts to produce realistic results

Question 15

How is informed consent dealt with according to the BPS Code of Ethics?

Answer 15

Ppts should formally agree to participate
Provided with comprehensive info regarding the nature and purpose of research
Care with children or vulnerable adults
Prior general consent or presumptive consent

Question 16

How is protection of participants dealt with according to the BPS Code of Ethics?

Answer 16

Risk of harm or stress no greater than ordinary life

Question 17

What is the difficulty of protecting participants from harm or stress?

Answer 17

Can be difficult for researchers to accurately predict the risks of the study

Question 18

How is the right to withdraw dealt with according to the BPS Code of Ethics?

Answer 18

Participants should be aware that they can leave at any time during the study

Question 19

What is the difficulty when dealing with the right to withdraw?

Answer 19

Ppts are often paid or rewarded which may mean they feel obligated to continue

Question 20

How is confidentiality and anonymity dealt with according to the BPS Code of Ethics?

Answer 20

Names are not recorded

Published data should remain anonymous and no obvious links to specific individuals

Question 21

What is a laboratory study?

Answer 21

Experiment conducted in an environment where the variables are carefully controlled
Ppts aware they are taking part but don’t know true aims