Research Methods Flashcards
What is a lab experiment?
An experiment conducted in a lab setting where the IV is manipulated in controlled settings
What is a field experiment?
An experiment conducted in an everyday setting where the IV is manipulated
What is a quasi experiment?
An experiment that can take place in a lab or everyday setting where the IV is naturally occurring
Give 2 strengths of a lab experiment
Allows for standardisation and controls so it can be kept constant for all participants —> controls
Controls over extraneous variables which makes it easier to establish cause and effect between the IV and the DV
Give 2 weaknesses of a lab experiment
As it is conducted in a lab setting demand characteristics and investigator effects may affect the results
Low in ecological validity as not in an everyday setting and lacks mundane realism
Give 2 advantages of field experiments
Reduced chance of demand characteristics because participants are less likely to know they are being observed and is in everyday setting
Behaviour is taking place in an everyday setting or real environment so more ecologically valid
Give 2 weaknesses of a field experiment
Lacks control and standardisation which means extraneous variables can affect results —> replicability and reliability
May be practically difficult and unethical for researchers to gather data unobtrusively
Give 2 advantages of a quasi experiment
Can be conducted in a field or lab setting
Can point to cause and effect in rare or atypical behaviours that may be difficult to study
Give two weaknesses of a quasi experiment
The IV is naturally occurring which means that participants cannot be randomly allocated to conditions which means participant variables are left uncontrolled and can confound results
May be difficult to find the naturally occurring IV due to its rarity
What is the independent measures design?
Participants take part in one condition of the IV
What is the repeated measures design?
Participants take part in both conditions of the IV
What is counterbalancing?
ABBA —> half participants take part in cond 1 whilst other half in cond 2 and then swap over
What is matched pairs design?
Participants are pre screened on a variable and matched across two conditions with similar results
Give 2 advantages if the matched pair design
Reduces participant variables
No order effects - so higher validity
Give two disadvantages of repeated measures
Increased chance of order effects which confound results and reduce the validity
Demand characteristics - participants may be more likely to guess the aim
