field experiments Flashcards
where do they take place?
in the real social world
what do sociologist do to create it?
create a situation or adapts an existing real life situation to their research purpose
are those involved usually aware?
no
what are the advantages?
less artificial than lab and creates validity
how do you have less control over variables?
dont meet the rigours scientific criterial because you can’t control all the variables
what is meant by there is limited application?
not many situations to be adapted to become field experiments - test influence of one factor is possible but more is problematic
what are the ethical problems?
they dont usually gain informed consent because it ‘gives the game away’
what is the comparative method?
a thought experiment - identify two groups that are the same except for one characteristic e.g. religion - Durkheim
what does the comparative method avoid?
artificiality and ethical issues
what does the cimparive method give no control over?
variables
