Experiments

Question 1

Experiments: In a nutshell

Answer 1

An experiment is characterised by its high degree of control that the researcher has over the situation. In an experiment, the researcher identifies and controls all variables that might affect the outcome. By manipulating the variables and observing what happens, the researcher can discover cause and effect relationships. There are two main types of experiments: laboratory experiments and field experiments.

Question 2

Laboratory experiments: Who are they favoured by and what are they?

Answer 2

Favoured by positivists, lab experiments test hypothesise in a controlled environment where the researcher changes the independent variable and measures the effect on the dependent variable.

Question 3

Laboratory experiments: Advantages

Answer 3

• Highly reliable- the original experiment can specify precisely what steps were followed in the original experiments
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• Can easily identify cause and effect relationships

Question 4

Laboratory experiments: Disadvantages

Answer 4

• Artificiality - lab experiments are carried out in a highly artificial environment and may not reveal how people act in the real world, any behaviour in these conditions may be artificial.
• The Hawthorne effect - a lab is not a formal or natural environment - If people know they are being studied, they may act differently.
• Ethical issues - the researcher needs informed consent of the participants - this may be difficult to obtain
• Unrepresentative: the small-scale nature of lab experiments reduces their representativeness
• It would be impossible to identify and/or control all the variables that might exert an influence on certain social issues (Eg. a child’s education)

Question 5

Field experiments: Who are they favoured by and what are they?

Answer 5

Field experiments take place in the real social world, whereby the sociologist either creates a situation or adapts a real-life situation to their research purpose. Those involved are usually unaware of the research taking place.

Question 6

Field experiments: Advantages

Answer 6

• Less artificiality - field experiments are set in real-world situations.
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• Validity - people are unaware of the experimental situation (no Hawthorne effect) and are in their usual social environment, they will act normally

Question 7

Field experiments: Disadvantages

Answer 7

• Ethical issues - involves carrying out an experiment on people without their informed consent
• Less control over variables
• Limited application - field experiments can only be applied to a limited number of social situations.