Locations of research

Question 1

Lab research

Answer 1

A room equipped to allow scientific research and measurement.
Observations may also be carried out in a lab setting.

Question 2

Lab - advantages

Answer 2

Easier to control confounding and extraneous variables.
Psychologists / researchers are able to use equipment that might be specific to just a lab or not portable.

Question 3

Lab - disadvantages

Answer 3

The environment may cause the participants to be more anxious or aware that people are observing them, than they would do with field experiments.
It’s a new environment - could be a confounding variable and could make the results less accurate.
Increased risk of demand characteristics.

Question 4

Field research

Answer 4

A natural setting.
For example:
Hospitals, universities etc.
For field research, the researcher travels to the participants.

Question 5

Field - advantages

Answer 5

When people are in their everyday environment they are less like to be aware of the other participants.
They may behave more naturally and act the way ‘‘they normally do’’.

Question 6

Field - disadvantages

Answer 6

Harder to measure research variables.
Difficult to control any confounding or extraneous variables.

Question 7

Online research

Answer 7

Allows researchers to access participants via the internet and social media.

Question 8

Online - advantages

Answer 8

The researcher can access a large sample that’s not bias.
Cheaper than lab and field experiments.

Question 9

Online - disadvantages

Answer 9

Ethical issues are harder to deal with - consent and risk of harm.
Limited to surveys, questionnaires etc.