Experiments - Types

Question 1

what are lab experiments? how do they work?

Answer 1

• conducted in controlled environment
• IV is directly manipulated by the experimenter and the effect of this IV is measured by the dependent variable
• look for a cause and effect relationship

Question 2

strengths of lab experiments

Answer 2

There is a high level of control of the IV and any possible EV.

It is easily possible to replicate the experiment.

Cause and effect can be determined.

Question 3

weaknesses of lab experiments

Answer 3

The setting is artificial and so the research can lack ecological validity and mundane realism.

There is a chance of demand characteristics.

Question 4

what are field experiments? how do they work?

Answer 4

• carried out in a environment natural to participants
• IV is directly manipulated by the experimenter and the effect of this IV is measured by the dependent variable
• cause and effect relationship is also looked for here
• extraneous variables are difficult to control
• participants usually not aware of study

Question 5

strengths of field experiments

Answer 5

There is higher ecological validity than in a laboratory.

Lower chance of demand characteristics.

Cause and effect can be determined.

Question 6

weaknesses of field experiments

Answer 6

Less control over EV.

Difficult to replicate.

Can become very time consuming.

Question 7

what is a natural experiment?

Answer 7

• conducted in a natural environment
• there is a naturally occurring IV so its not manipulated directly by the researcher
• cause and effect relationship is looked for
• participant is not aware they are part of a study

Question 8

strengths of natural experiment

Answer 8

There is a high level of ecological validity.

Very useful when it is impossible or unethical to manipulate the IV.

Question 9

weaknesses of natural experiment

Answer 9

Less control over EV.

Less control over the sample.

Difficult to replicate.

Far more difficult to determine cause and effect.

Question 10

what are quasi experiments? how do they work?

Answer 10

• employed when the researcher is interested in independent variables that cannot be randomly assigned.
• usually this happens when the independent variable in question is something that is an innate characteristic of the participants involved that cannot change.
  gender is an obvious example.