Experiments

Question 1

lab experiments

Answer 1

experiments are performed in a controlled environment (all variables are controlled)

Question 2

field experiments

Answer 2

an experiment that is carried out within a natural social setting and which aims to control as many variables as possible

Question 3

strengths of lab experiments

Answer 3

1) allow researchers to isolate variables
2) collect objective information
3) good reliability
4) high level of detachment between researcher and respondents

Question 4

limitations of lab experiments

Answer 4

1) ‘reductionist’ - “people aren’t puppets”
2) lacks external validity - artificial environment so far removed from the real life (don’t know how respondents would react
3) hawthorne effect - reduce validity
4) don’t allow study of large scale of people

Question 5

strengths of field expereiments

Answer 5

1) more natural (external validity)
2) more realistic
3) larger scale settings - possible to do experiments in public institutions e.g. schools or workplaces

Question 6

limitations of field experiments

Answer 6

1) practical problems - problem of access (schools & workplaces)
2) ethical problems - consent may not be given and deception is shown n the experiment
3) hawthorne effect

Question 7

examples of ethical problems

Answer 7

1) lack of consent
2) deception
3) harm

Question 8

comparative method

Answer 8

two or more groups are identified and are then compared with each other

Question 9

aim of comparative method

Answer 9

used to identify what is evident in one group that isn’t evident in the other

Question 10

example of comparative method

Answer 10

Durkheim’s study on suicide