Lab And Field Experiments

Question 1

Lab experiments

Answer 1

Have controlled variables that are usually conducted in an artificial environment

Question 2

Field experiments

Answer 2

Are consulted in a more natural setting but variables still are tightly controlled

Question 3

Strengths of lab experiments

Answer 3

P + produces statistical data that can be easily manipulated and compared
P + reliable and objective as it can be repeated and personal bias is excluded

Question 4

Limitations of lab experiments

Answer 4

P - Hawthorne
E - unethical to experiment on people without their knowledge or informed consent
T - interpretivists argue that it is in an un natural environment so doesn’t retain their true thoughts and feelings

Question 5

Strengths of field experiments

Answer 5

P + more likely to produce qualitative data that is high in validity
T + interpretivists prefer as results are more likely to match everyday natural behaviour

Question 6

Limitations of field experiments

Answer 6

P - data is more difficult to analyse as t is quantitative
P - more difficult to control variables, harder to establish cause and effect
E - informed consent and deception