Natural and Quasi experiments Flashcards
When are natural experiments conducted
When it is not possible or ethical to deliberately manipulate an IV
Natural experiment
A research method where the researcher has not directly manipulated the IV. Therefore casual conclusions can not exactly be drawn from the experiments
Quasi experiment
Studies that are almost experiments. The IV doesn’t vary, but is a condition that exists
What is the definition of Quasi
Being partly or almost
What is natural in a natural experiment
The IV
Where could the DV be measured in a quasi and field experiment
In the Lab
Why can’t researchers draw cause and effect conclusions from natural and quasi experiments
- The lack of control of the IV means that we can not say for certain that any change in the DV was caused by the IV
- It is not possible for random allocation so there may be biases in different groups of ppts
What are strengths of a natural experiment
- Allows research to be conducted were the IV can’t be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons
Limitations to a natural experiment
Unable to demonstrate casual relationships
Because random allocation is not possible there may be confounding variables that can not be controlled which is a threat to internal validity
Strengths of a quasi experiment
Allows comparisons between types of people
Limitation of a quasi experiment
Ppts may become aware that they are being studied which lowers internal validity
The DV may be artificial which would reduce ecological validity
When might you use a quasi experiment
To investigate relationships between an IV and DV in a situation where the IV is a characteristic of the person
