experiments Flashcards
What are the variables in experiments?
Independent and dependent variables.
How can the dependent variable be changed?
The dependent variable changes as a result of the independent variable being changed.
How can the independent variable be changed?
The independent variable can be changed by the researcher to discover the impact of change on the dependent variable.
What are lab experiments associated with and where does it take place?
- Method associated with the natural sciences (chemistry, biology etc).
- Take place in an artificial and heavily controlled environment.
What is controlled in lab experiments and why is this useful?
- All variables (apart from independent variable) can be controlled.
- This means casual relationships can be explored easily.
Where does field experiments take place and what does a researcher try to see?
- Takes place in a more natural, every day setting/environment.
- Still looking to see if changing the independent variable has an effect on the dependent variable.
What are practical advantages for laboratory experiments?
- Attractive to funding bodies due to their scientific nature.
- Researchers can easily conduct the experiment as respondents come to them, so they don’t have to travel.
What are the practical disadvantages for laboratory experiments?
- Often small scale.
- Time consuming.
- Cannot be used to study the past.
What is an ethical advantage of lab experiments?
- If informed consent is given, no deception is involved.
What are ethical disadvantages of lab experiments?
- Many experiments often conceal the real aims of the research.
- Therefore, informed consent is not always fully given.
What are the theoretical advantages of lab experiments?
- Highly reliable, as variables are easily controlled, produces quantitative data and is a very detached and objective method.
What are the theoretical disadvantages of lab experiments?
- Lack validity due to “Hawthorne Effect”(people may change their natural behaviour due to the knowledge of being observed).
- As they’re small scale, they’re often not representative.
What are the practical advantages of field experiments?
- Larger scale research than lab experiments.
- People are in their natural environments so no need to collect volunteers.
What are the practical disadvantages of field experiments?
- Less control over variables.
- Few situations can be adapted to become field experiments.
- Lack of research opportunity.
What are the ethical advantages of field experiments?
- Possibly less hierarchical than lab experiments.
- Real life settings.
