Experiments Flashcards
Where do lab experiments take place?
An artificial setting
Give 3 facts about a lab experiment
Have variables which researchers manipulate to determine cause and effect
High level of control to eliminate extraneous variables
Follow a standardised procedure
Typically collect quantitative data
Why is it a strength that a lab experiment is highly controlled?
Eliminates extraneous variables which increases validity of the experiment as we can be more sure that the IV did affect the DV (cause and effect)
Lab experiments are standardised. Why is this a strength?
Each participant will do the exact same procedure meaning results can be compared = more reliable
What is a weakness of a lab experiment in terms of validity?
Low ecological validity as it takes place in an artificial setting = not reflective of real life
High in demand characteristics as Ps may guess the aim of the study = less reflective of behaviour in real life
Where does a field experiment take place?
A naturalistic setting e.g. classroom, public transport
Give 3 facts about a field experiment
Researcher has control over the IV to see if it affects the DV
Lower levels of control as it takes place in the real world
Procedure is not standardised
What is a strength of a field experiment in terms of validity?
High ecological validity due to taking place in a naturalistic setting = more representative of behaviour in real life
Less demand characteristics as P less aware of the study = more representative of real life behaviour
What is a weakness of a field experiment in terms of validity?
harder to control extraneous variables = less sure that the IV did affect the DV
What is a weakness of a field experiment in terms of reliability?
not standardised - they can not be replicated to test for reliability.
