PY4 - EXPERIMENTAL METHODS - LABORATORY EXPERIMENT

Question 1

What is a laboratory experiment?

Answer 1

• A laboratory experiment is considered one of the most scientific methods in psychological research.
• A researcher manipulates the independent variable to establish a cause & effect and, in turn, the measurement of data collection of the dependent variable can occur.
• This allows the researcher to look for the effect that manipulated variables (independent variables) have on measured variables (dependent variables).
• Laboratory experiments are conducted in controlled environments, paying particular attention to eliminating the effects of other, extraneous variables, by controlling them (removing or keeping them constant) in an artificial environment.
• This makes it more likely for researchers to draw causal conclusions from the research, having confidence that no variables other than changes in an IV can affect a resulting DV.
• In some laboratory experiments, highly scientific equipment & environments are used.

Question 2

What are the strengths of laboratory experiments?

Answer 2

• One strength of laboratory experiments is its high reliability. - Laboratories allow researchers to measure research variables more easily, making it easier to control confounding or extraneous variables.
• Additionally, this allows for ease of replication. Therefore, if a researcher was to conduct the experiment again they should get similar results. - The standardised procedures and controls over the extraneous variables allow for this. This may confirm the accuracy of the original findings.

Question 3

What are the weaknesses of laboratory experiments?

Answer 3

• One weakness of a laboratory experiment is its artificial & controlled setting.
• The data collected may lack ecological validity, as the artificial nature of laboratory experiments can cast doubt over whether the results reflect the nature of real life scenarios. As such, the participants may not offer ‘natural behaviour’ so there is a high risk of demand characteristics since the participants may alter their behaviour based on their interpretation of the purpose of the experiment.
• As well as this, there is also a risk of experimenter bias, as researchers’ expectations may affect how they interact with participants, affecting participants’ behaviour, or alter their interpretation of the results.
• All of these factors could lower the validity of the data of the dependent variable.