Experiments Flashcards
What are the 4 types or experiments?
Lahratory
Field
Natural
Quasi
What are the point of Laboratory experiments?
It has a controlled artificial environment
The IV can be easily manipulated
What are the advantages of Laboratory experiments?
It’s a controlled environment
Minimises problems with extraneous variables
It is easily replicated
Highly reliable
What are the disadvantages of Labratory experiments
Artificial environment (low mundane realism)
Participants may behave differently to normal or be effected by the environment (demand characteristics)
It therefore may lack generalisability (low external validity)
What is a field experiment?
These take place outside of the lab, in a natural environment but the basic scientific procedures are still followed as far as possible
A field experiment doesn’t have to be in a field. It can be anywhere in the environment
When might a field experiment be used?
(Example)
The IV is manipulated whilst the DV is measured to observe participants in a natural setting
What are the advantages of field experiments
It is less artificial than Labratory experiments but still is an experiment
Represents reality
Can be completed in natural environments
It avoids the participant effect (if they are not aware of the study therefore it should produce behaviour which is more natural and valid
Less demand characteristics
What are the disadvantages of field experiments?
Extraneous variables are less easy to control therefore less able to show cause and effect
Ethical issues - participants are unlikely to know they are being studied
What makes a field experiment an official experiment?
The psychologist can still manipulate the IV
What is a natural experiment?
These are done in the natural environment however, the IV is not manipulated and psychologists take advantage of a naturally occurring IV
What are the advantages of natural experiments?
High in ecological validity. This provides opportunities for research which may not be available
This enables psychologists to study “real problems”
It is an objective research method - it has little interference from researchers
Few ethical issues
What are the disadvantages of natural experiments?
Naturally occurring events may not happen often so research may take too long. This also limits generalisability
There are many extraneous variables which are a threat to “cause and effect” conclusion
Participants aren’t randomly allocated to conditions which may mean that there are some biases in the sample
What is a Quasi Experiment?
In quasi experiments the IV is a naturally existing characteristic between people and has not been changed by anyone or anything. Eg gender, eye colour …
What does Quasi mean?
What impact does this have?
Something is not quite real. It may work like the real thing, but it’s not the real thing
Quasi experiments aren’t seen as real experiments
What are the advantages of quasi experiments?
Often carried out under lab conditions so therefore they are in high control
They enable psychologists to study “real” problems
