Experiments

Question 1

What are experiments?

Answer 1

• A research situation where the researcher has a high degree of control.
  -variables are identified and some are controlled.

Question 2

What does the researcher do with the variables?

Answer 2

-they manipulate the variables and observe what happens.
-this then helps the researcher discover cause and effect relationships.

Question 3

What are the 2 main types of experiments?

Answer 3

-Lab experiments
-Field experiments.

Question 4

What is a lab experiment?

Answer 4

-when the Hypothesis is tested under controlled ‘created’ environment.
-focuses on independent and dependant variables.

Question 5

What are some strengths of lab experiments?

Answer 5

-they are highly reliable, as the original experiment can specify precisely what steps were followed in the original experiment.
-they can easily identify cause and effect relationships.

Question 6

What are some limitations of lab experiment.

Answer 6

-Artificiality - not a real environment (lab), unlikely for real world application to happen.
-Hawthorne effect - the knowledge that you’re in an experiment can change one’s behaviour.
- consent - usually involve deception, obtaining consent can be difficult.
-Time consuming and expensive.

Question 7

What are field experiments?

Answer 7

Where the hypothesis is tested in ‘real world’ and those involved are usually unaware.

Question 8

What are some strengths of field experiments?

Answer 8

• less artificial and have more ecological validity.
  -people don’t know they are in an experiment (no Hawthorne effect)

Question 9

What are some limitations of field experiments?

Answer 9

-Less control of the variables
-Have limited application, very few situations that can be adapted to become a field experiment.
-Do not gain the consent of those involved as it would change behaviour, unethical .