Experiments LT5 Flashcards
Lab experiment
researcher manipulates an independent variable and measures a dependent variable in a controlled environment.
What are the Practical advantages of lab experiments ?
Researcher does not have to wait for the event to naturally occur but can produce to stimulus
What are the Ethical advantages of lab experiments ?
. lab reduces harm
. Consent can be gained prior to participation
What are the Theoretical advantages of lab experiments ?
. Allows control over cofounding variables
. standardised = easy retest
What are the Practical disadvantages of lab experiments ?
Society doesn’t lend itself to be studied in a lab
What are the Ethical disadvantages of lab experiments ?
Ethics regarding consent, harm and deception, not fully informed consent
What are the Theoretical disadvantages of lab experiments ?
. Low validity, lab doesn’t reflect real life (Hawthorne effect)
. Not representative, usually small sample
What is the key study for lab experiment ?
Field experiment
Researcher manipulates an independent variable in a dependent variable in a natural environment
What are the Practical advantages of field experiments ?
. participants less likely to be effected by the Hawthorne effect
What are the Ethical advantages of field experiments ?
Less likely to experience a power imbalance as they feel more control in own environment
What are the Theoretical advantages of field experiments ?
. More valid than lab due to being done in the real world
. High reliability, method is standardised and easy to repeat
What are the Practical disadvantages of field experiments ?
May need to offer a financial incentive to participants
What are the Ethical disadvantages of field experiments ?
ethical problems such as deception, protection from harm and informed consent
What are the Theoretical disadvantages of field experiments ?
There is less control over the variables
What is the key study for field experiment ?
Comparative method
It is a ‘though experiment’ which does not involve experimenting on real people but making comparisons between individuals groups etc
What are the Practical advantages of comparative method ?
it can study past events like lab experiments
What are the Ethical advantages of comparative method ?
Poses no ethical problems
What are the Theoretical advantages of comparative method ?
Avoids creating artificial research situations
What are the Practical disadvantages of comparative method ?
Difficult to make comparisons between countries as data may be collected in different ways
What are the Ethical disadvantages of comparative method ?
socially sensitive issues can potentially create misleading perceptions
What are the Theoretical disadvantages of comparative method ?
Lack of control over variables, cant be sure of cause and effect
What is the key study for comparative methods ?
