Methodology: Types of Experiments

Question 1

Describe the features of a lab experiment.

Answer 1

• Artificial setting and unfamiliar to ppts
• No EVs due to high manipulation of variables
• DVs often quantitatively measured
• Experimental and control group
• Volunteers
• Standardised procedure

Question 2

Give an example of a lab experiment in cognitive psychology.

Answer 2

Baddeley (1966) conducted an artificial lab experiment on 72 volunteers about STM and LTM encoding with number of words recalled that were either acoustically or semantically similar with controls.

Question 3

Evaluate the generalisability of lab experiments using a high and low point.

Answer 3

P - High
E - Lab experiments use standardised procedures with high control over variables
E - Therefore conditions are easy to replicate on a mass scale gaining a large sample
P - Low
E - Samples are often volunteer in which they would all share similar characteristics making them want to sign up
E - And so cannot represent wider population

Question 4

Evaluate the reliability of lab experiments using 2 high points.

Answer 4

P - High
E - Often use a standardised procedure in which all ppts receive the exact same conditions
E - Therefore they are easy to replicate to test for consistency
P - High
E - There are strict levels of control of all variables
E - Therefore conditions are easy to compare and replicate

Question 5

Evaluate the validity of lab experiments using a high and low point.

Answer 5

P - High
E - Strict levels of control over EVs in order to accurately measure the DV
E - This therefore means cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV can be established
P - Low ecological
E - Due to the controlled conditions it is artificial and unnatural to the ppts
E - Therefore their behaviour may not reflect true life as may show DCs due to knowing they’re in a study

Question 6

Evaluate the ethics of lab experiments using a high and low point.

Answer 6

P - High
E - As ppts are in a lab setting they know they’re in a study
E - They will have therefore given informed consent
P - Low ecological
E - Behaviour of ppts will not necessarily reflect that same behaviour in real life due to knowing they’re being studied
E - Therefore sometimes researchers use deception to avoid DCs

Question 7

Describe the features of a field experiment.

Answer 7

• Natural setting and familiar to ppts
• Some EVs due to limited manipulation of variables
• DVs can be quantitative or qualitative
• Experimental and control group
• Mainly opportunity
• Can still have standardised procedure

Question 8

Give an example of a field experiment in psychology.

Answer 8

Piliavin (1969) had a confederate collapse on a train and waited to see how long it was before someone helped, manipulating variables of sometimes having the man being drunk and sometimes with a walking stick.

Question 9

Evaluate the generalisability of field experiments using a low point.

Answer 9

P - Low
E - Often use an opportunity sample of ppts available at the time, however this is bias as those who are in the same place at the same time share similar traits
E - And so cannot represent wider population

Question 10

Evaluate the reliability of field experiments using a high and low point.

Answer 10

P - High
E - Field experiments often use a standardised procedure in which all ppts receive the exact same conditions
E - Therefore they are easy to replicate to test for consistency
P - Low
E - There is a lack of control over extraneous variables due to being in a setting the research can’t control all aspects of
E - Therefore EVs changing the conditions can make it harder to replicate and compare

Question 11

Evaluate the validity of field experiments using 2 high points.

Answer 11

P - High ecological
E - The setting is natural to the ppt and so they are more likely to behave naturally
E - Therefore results will be more representative of real life behaviour
P - High
E - Due to the setting being natural to ppts they are less likely to guess the aim or that they are in a study
E - Therefore there is less chance of DCs and so behaviour is more natural

Question 12

Evaluate the ethics of field experiments using a low point.

Answer 12

P - Low
E - Due to the setting being natural to the ppt they may be unaware they’re in a study
E - Therefore they haven’t given informed consent, are being deceived, with their right to withdraw compromised

Question 13

Describe the features of a natural experiment.

Answer 13

• Natural setting and familiar to ppts
• Can’t manipulate variables as are naturally occurring
• DVs are mostly qualitative
• Experimental and control group
• Opportunity
• Limited standardised procedure due to lack of manipulation of variables

Question 14

Give an example of a natural experiment in cognitive psychology.

Answer 14

Pezdek (2003) found that New York students’ memory recall of events during 9/11 better due to the greater relevance.

Question 15

Evaluate the generalisability of natural experiments using a low point.

Answer 15

P - Low
E - Use an opportunity sample of ppts available at the time, however this is bias as those who are in the same place at the same time share similar traits
E - And so cannot represent wider population

Question 16

Evaluate the reliability of natural experiments using 2 low points.

Answer 16

P - Low
E - The independent variable is naturally occurring and often unique
E - This means that the experiment will be hard/impossible to replicate to test for consistency
P - Low
E - Data collected is often qualitative
E - This is hard to compare when replicating data

Question 17

Evaluate the validity of natural experiments using a high and low point.

Answer 17

P - High ecological
E - The setting is natural to the ppt and so they are more likely to behave naturally
E - Therefore results will be more representative of real life behaviour and reduces risk of DCs
P - Low internal
E - Can’t manipulate any variables with high chance for EVs to affect results
E - Therefore cannot establish cause and effect relationship between IV and DV

Question 18

Evaluate the ethics of natural experiments using a high and low point.

Answer 18

P - High
E - Can research naturally occurring variables that are unique
E - Therefore they can investigate things that would normally be unethical to set up
P - Low
E - Ppts may not be aware they are in a study due to the natural occurrence of variables
E - Therefore they haven’t given informed consent, are being deceived, with their right to withdraw compromised