Quantitative - Types of Experiments

Question 1

Laboratory Experiments

Answer 1

• Generates numerical data
• Method is used to find a cause-and-effect relationship between 2 variables
• IV and DV must be operationalized

Question 2

Field Experiments

Answer 2

• A study conducted in a ‘real world setting’
• Have a high ecological validity, can be generalized
• Cannot be exactly replicated
• Unable to control other variables
• Ethical concerns

Question 3

Natural Experiments

Answer 3

• A subset of quasi experiments
• Independent variables are environmental in nature, outside of the researcher’s control
• Behavior measured both before and after the variable has been introduced

Question 4

Quasi Experiments

Answer 4

• Participants are grouped based on a trait or behavior
• Lacks the element of random assignment
• Behavior measured both before and after the variable has been introduced

Question 5

Correlational Experiments

Answer 5

• Researcher measures 2 variables, to understand and assess the statistical relationship between them
• No cause-and-effect relationship can be determined as no IV is manipulated

Question 6

Descriptive Studies

Answer 6

• You do not investigate the relationship between variables, you just want to know an aspect of the phenomenon
• Used in sociology and psychology to have a broad opinion about a certain topic

Question 7

Positive Correlation

Answer 7

• As one increases (x) so does the other (y)

Question 8

Negative Correlation

Answer 8

• As one increases (x) the other decreases (y)

Question 9

Bidirectional Ambiguity

Answer 9

• This exists in correlational studies where the direction of the correlation is unknown.
• Since no independent variable is manipulated, it is impossible to know if x causes y, y causes x, if they interact to cause behavior, or whether it is just coincidental and no relationship truly exists.