Experiments

Question 1

Why do interpretivists prefer Field Experiments?

Answer 1

They are seen to produce more valid data and are conducted in real-life environments.

Question 2

What are some strengths of experiments?

Answer 2

-hypothesis tested in a controlled environment
-easy to isolate and control variables
-high in reliability (can be repeated)
-The researcher is seen as a detatched, objective observer (more scientific)

Question 3

What are some weaknesses of experiments?

Answer 3

-difficult to isolate a single cause to a social issue
-(E-) = the researcher may need to treat members of the group different
-often involve deception, full experiment details may not be disclosed, hard to give informed consent
-may only be practical in small settings, may be unrepresentative
-conditions are artificial, may not replicate real-life situations
-risk of the hawthorne effect, lower validity
-in field experiments, not all variables can be controlled

Question 4

What are the different types of experiment?

Answer 4

Labratory- in a lab, with controlled variables
Field- in real-life settings, natural environment
Thought- the mind of the researcher