Experiments: type and design

Question 1

what is the definition of lab experiments?

Answer 1

a highly controlled research method where the research controls environmental factors to observe the effect of the independent variable on the dependant variable

Question 2

what are the key features of lab experiments?

Answer 2

-standardised procedures ensure replicability and reliability
-all variable constant except the IV
-conducted in the same space with controlled light, heat, sound, and consistent researcher behaviour

Question 3

what are the strengths of lab experiments?

Answer 3

-easier to establish cause-effect relationships
-high internal validity due to control
-replicable, increasing reliability

Question 4

what are the limitations of lab experiments?

Answer 4

-artificial tasks reduce ecological
-findings may not generalise to real-world setting
-demand characteristics can alter participants behaviour, reducing external validity

Question 5

what is the definition of field experiments?

Answer 5

-field experiments are conducted in natural settings with less control over variables
-included IV and DV e.g ‘kindness’ programmes effect on prosocial behavioural

Question 6

what are the key features of field experiments?

Answer 6

-real-world distractions (e.g weather, noise) acts as extraneous variables
-can collect both quantitative and qualitative data

Question 7

what are some strengths of field experiments?

Answer 7

-high external validity due to natural setting
-participants behave more naturally, reducing demand characterisitics

Question 8

what are some limitations of field experiments?

Answer 8

-extranous variables may interfere with results
-harder to replicate, reducing reliability
-lower control reduces internal validity

Question 9

what is the definition of natural experiments?

Answer 9

-study of naturally occurring phenomena
-no manipulation of IV or random allocation of participants

Question 10

what are key features of natural experiments?

Answer 10

-conducted in participants natural settings
-qualitative data e.g interviews about personal experiences

Question 11

what are some strength of natural experiments?

Answer 11

-ethical way to study sensitive topics
-high ecological validity due to real-world settings
-first-hand participants reports enhance mundane realism

Question 12

what are some limitations of natural experiments?

Answer 12

-casual relationships are hard to determine
-relies on subjective participants accounts, reducing reliability
-prone to biases (e.g social desirability, confirmation, sample bias)

Question 13

what is the definition of quasi-experiments?

Answer 13

where the IV is naturally occurring (e.g age, gender) and participants are not randomly assigned to conditions

Question 14

what are the key features of quasi experiment?

Answer 14

-collect quantitative data using experimental designs
-lack full researcher control over IV

Question 15

what are the strengths of quasi experiments?

Answer 15

-high external validity due to natural IV
-can provide useful insights (e.g age and memory)
-replicable with demographically similar participants

Question 16

what are the limitations of quasi experiments?

Answer 16

-lack of random allocation leads to participants variables
-less reliable than true experiments
-may lack internal validity due to uncontrolled factors

Question 17

what are the three types of experimental design?

Answer 17

independent groups, repeated measures, matched pairs

Question 18

what is the definition of independent group design?

Answer 18

where the participants experience only one condition of the IV and data is unrelated since different groups provide separate data sets

Question 19

give an example of independent group design

Answer 19

-group A: learns a poem with music
-group B: learns the same poem in silence
-Dv: number of words recalled in 5 minutes

Question 20

in independent group design, how do they allocate participants?

Answer 20

random allocation, where participants are randomly assigned to conditions to avoid researcher bias (e.g drawing names from a hat)

Question 21

what are strengths of independent group design?

Answer 21

-reduces demand characteristics (participants don’t guess study aim)
-eliminates order effects like fatigue or practise

Question 22

what are limitations of independent groups design?

Answer 22

-participant variable may affect result (uneven skill levels)
-requires more participants, which can be logistically difficult

Question 23

what is repeated measure design?

Answer 23

-participants experience all conditions of the IV
-data is related since participants act as their own control group

Question 24

what is an example of repeated measure design?

Answer 24

-particpant learns a poem with music (condition one) and another poem in silence (condition two)
-Dv: words recalled in each condition compared

Question 25

how does repeated measure design split participants?

Answer 25

through counterbalancing, the participants are split into two groups:
-group 1: condition A then B
-group 2: condition B then A

Question 26

what are strengths of repeated measure design?

Answer 26

-controls participant variables (same people in all conditions)
-requires fewer participants, making it easier to organise

Question 27

what are some limitations of repeated measure design?

Answer 27

-may lead to demand characteristics (participants guess the study’s aim)
-order effects (fatigue, boredom or practise) could affect results

Question 28

what is matched pairs designs?

Answer 28

-where participants are matched on important characteristics (e.g age, IQ, aggression)
-each pair split between conditions

Question 29

give an example of matched pair design

Answer 29

e.g participants patched by aggression level
-person A: condition 1
-person B: condition 2

Question 30

what are some strengths of matched pair design?

Answer 30

-control participant variable (matches participants on key traits)
-reduces demand characteristics ( participants tested only once)

Question 31

what are limitations for matched pairs design?

Answer 31

-time consuming to find matched
-perfect matches are difficult, affecting reliability
-dropouts disrupt the research process