Research methods Flashcards
What’s the difference between a lab and field experiment
Lab experiments are conducted in a controlled environment, field in a more natural setting
Which experimental design is Counterbalancing used in
Repeated Measures Design
In an exam, all IV’s and DV’s should be ____
Operationalised
What’s a Lab experiment
Defined by the high level of control the researcher has over all the variables in the study
Advantages of a Lab experiment (3)
- High internal validity because extraneous variables are controlled
- The studies easily replicable due to the use of standardised procedures
- Cause and effect relationships are easily determined due to the isolation of the variables
Disadvantages of lab experiments (4)
- Lack ecological validity
- Lack mundane realism
- Participants know they’re in a study- could cause demand characteristics
- Results may be affected by experimenter bias
Advantages of Field experiments (2)
- Participants will act naturally and be completing a more usual activity leading to a high external validity
- Less demand characteristics as the participants don’t know they’re in an experiment
Disadvantages of Field experiments (3)
- Lack control over possible extraneous variables that can impact the dependant variable
- More time consuming, expensive and difficult to replicate
- Low internal validity due to sample issues (harder to randomly assign participants to certain conditions which could lead to a change in the DV due to participant variables)
What do lab and field experiments have in common
The researcher manipulates the independent variable between conditions and measures the effect on the DV
What’s a Natural experiment
The two levels of IV’s occur naturally without the researchers influence. The researcher simply records the change in the DV.
Advantages of Natural and Quasi experiments (2)
- Only way to test certain things that are deemed as unethical
- No demand characteristics* as it’s a real behaviour in the real world (high external validity*)
- = Unless Quasi-experiment was done in a lab
Disadvantages of Natural and Quasi experiments (4)
- Extraneous variables that can’t be controlled impact the DV*
- Replication difficulties (often rare events in natural exp./ measuring natural characteristics in quasi)
- Ethical issues (informed consent)
- Sample issues may not be comparable*
- = Unless Quasi-experiment was done in a lab
What’s the difference between a natural and quasi experiment
In a natural exp, the two levels of IV occur naturally, the researcher simply records effect on the DV, in a quasi, the IV already exists in the participants they’re studying and extraneous variables CAN be controlled
What do natural and quasi experiments have in common
Independent variables can’t be manipulated- they’re natural
What’s a Quasi experiment
Participants cannot be randomly assigned between levels of IV. Often because the level of IV is an innate characteristic of participants.
Observation definition
The researcher watches and records spontaneous/natural behaviour of participants without manipulating levels of indépendant variable
What’s the difference between experimental and non experimental methods
In an experimental method, the researcher manipulates the IV
What are the types of observation
Controlled vs Naturalistic observation
Overt vs Covert observation
Participant vs non participant observation
What’s controlled observation
Aspects of the environment are controlled in an attempt to give participants the same experience. This is often conducted in a laboratory setting.
Advantages of controlled observation (2)
- Controlling the environment reduces the chance extraneous variables are responsible for observed behaviour
- Results are likely to be reliable as using the same standardised procedure
Disadvantage of controlled observation
• The artificiality of the environment may result in unnatural behaviours
What’s naturalistic observation
Takes place in the real world places participants are likely to spend their time such as school or work or even their own home
Advantages of Naturalistic observation (2)
- High realism; participants are more likely to show natural behaviour
- High external validity, behaviours more likely to be generalisable to other situations
Disadvantage of Naturalistic observation
• Uncontrolled extraneous variables may be responsible for behaviour, resulting in lower internal validity