research methods: experimental methods Flashcards
Name the 4 methods:
Lab, field, natural and quasi
Describe (ao1) a lab method:
An experiment conducted
in a lab which is a highly
controlled environment,
(1 mark) where the
researcher manipulates
(changes) the
independent variable (IV)
and measures the effect
on the dependent
variable (DV) (1 mark).
Strengths of a lab method:
High level of control over
extraneous variables e.g. light
as its carried out in a fake
environment (CONTEXT),
therefore cause and effect can
be established between the IV
and the DV which increases the
internal validity of the
research.
High in reliability as the
experiment (CONTEXT) can be
easily repeated in the same
conditions to check for
consistent results.
limitations of a lab method:
Lacks Ecological validity as it’s
carried out in an artificial
environment (CONTEXT) therefore
it is difficult to generalise the
findings (CONTEXT) beyond the
setting of the study, lowering the
external validity.
Is prone to demand characteristics,
where the Ppt’s change their
natural behaviour based on clues
given off by the researcher
(CONTEXT) this could lead to ppts
choosing to either help or hinder
the researcher, reducing the
internal validity.
describe a field method:
An experiment which
takes place in a natural
environment (for the
ppts) such as an office or
school (1 mark) where the
researcher manipulates
the independent variable
(IV) and measures the
effect on the dependent
variable (DV) (1 mark).
strengths of field
Less prone to demand
characteristics as people might
not know they are being
watched so they are less likely
to guess clues given off by the
researcher and change their
natural behavior (CONTEXT).
Therefore increasing the
internal validity.
High ecological validity as it is
based in a real life setting
therefore it is easier to
generalise the findings beyond
the setting of the study to
other similar settings
(CONTEXT) increasing the
external validity.
limitations of field
Low in reliability as the
environment is natural (CONTEXT)
it is difficult to repeat with exactly
the same conditions to check for
consistent results.
nd
This could create an ethical issue of
lack of informed consent as people
may not be aware they are being
studied (CONTEXT), so wouldn’t
have given their consent. If they
become aware they may become
upset and wish to withdraw their
data from the research.
Describe a natural method
The researcher takes
advantage of a naturally
occurring IV (EVENT). This
is a natural experiment
because the variable
would have changed even
if the experimenter was
not interested.
Note that it is the IV that
is natural not necessarily
the setting - participants
may be tested in a lab.
strengths of natural
Natural experiments provide
opportunities for research that
may not otherwise be
undertaken for practical or
ethical reasons. For example,
Rutter’s study on Romanian
orphans would have been
unethical to manipulate unless
the institutionalisation (IV) had
not occurred naturally
(CONTEXT). Therefore, natural
experiments contribute to a
greater psychological
understanding of behaviour.
High ecological validity as
natural experiments are often
based in a real life setting
therefore it is easier to
generalise the finings beyond
the setting of the study to
other similar settings
(CONTEXT) increasing the external validity.
limitations of natural
Naturally occurring event may only
happen very rarely which limits
opportunities for research
(CONTEXT) this means it is unlikely
that the research can be repeated t
to check for consistent results so
lacks reliability.
Low control over extraneous
variables as natural experiments
usually take place in a natural
environment (CONTEXT). Therefore
it is difficult to establish cause and
effect between the IV and the DV
lowering the internal validity of the study.
Describe a quasi method
An experiment which has
an IV based on an existing
individual difference
between people
(characteristic) (1 mark)
which the researcher has
not manipulated e.g. age
or gender (1 mark) and
the researcher measures
the effect on the DV.
strengths of quasi
REMEMBER -
QUASI CAN BE CONDUCTED IN
A NATURAL OR CONTROLLED
ENVIRONMENT (Field or Lab).
THEREFORE, DEPENDING ON
THE SCENARIO, YOU WOULD
HAVE TO SELECT THE
APPROPRIATE EVALUATION
(STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES).
limitations of quasi
Sample bias as the sample being
studied may have unique
characteristics (E.G), which may
mean that it is difficult to generalise
to the target population (CONTEXT)
decreasing the external validity of
the study.
controls help increase what type of validity?
internal validity
define demand characteristics (2 marks)
Any clues given off within the research,
this could lead to the Ppt’s change their
natural behaviour choosing to either
help or hinder the researcher
(CONTEXT), reducing the internal validity
