Research Methods: Experimental Methods

Question 1

What are the 4 experimental methods?

Answer 1

Laboratory, Field, Natural, Quasi

Question 2

Tell me about Laboratory Experiments.

Answer 2

• the IV is manipulated in a controlled environment (lighting, temp, etc.)
• the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV whilst controlling EV’s.
• true experiment

Question 3

Tell me about Field Experiments.

Answer 3

• the IV is still manipulated but it is carried out in the field (real life places)
• e.g. casinos, tube trains, etc.
• true experiment

Question 4

Tell me about Natural Experiments.

Answer 4

• the difference in IV would have happened even if the researcher had not been there
• something has changed but maybe not deliberately and certainly not by the researcher
• e.g. children who went to preschool Vs those who didn’t, before primary school

Question 5

Tell me about Quasi Experiments.

Answer 5

• the IV is not manipulated, it is something the person just is.
• it cannot be manipulated by the researcher or anyone else
• e.g. ethnicity, IQ, etc.

Question 6

What are the strengths of Laboratory Experiments?

Answer 6

• can show cause and effect (cuz IV is manipulated)
• creates accurate measurement due to the control
• can be replicated really easily

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of Laboratory Experiments?

Answer 7

• low similarity to real life situations (artificial setting)
• tasks are artificial
• participants aware they’re being studied due to artificial setting (demand characteristics)
• total control of all variables is never possible

Question 8

What are the strengths of Field Experiments?

Answer 8

• high similarity to real life
• can show cause and effect (cuz IV is manipulated)
• in a real life environment participants may be unaware of study so they won’t act differently

Question 9

What are the weaknesses of Field Experiments?

Answer 9

• less control over EV’s
• participants don’t always know they are taking part (unethical?)
• harder to replicate as the environment is controlled

Question 10

What are the strengths of Natural Experiments?

Answer 10

• ethical because nothing is manipulated
• practical (time and money needed are reduced)
• more applicable to real life (naturally occurring IV)

Question 11

What are the weaknesses of Natural Experiments?

Answer 11

• can’t show cause and effect as researcher hasn’t manipulated IV
• less control over EV’s

Question 12

What are the strengths of Quasi Experiments?

Answer 12

• ethical because nothing is manipulated
• practical
• more applicable to real life (naturally occurring IV)
• experimental tasks are often carried out in controlled environments so some studies will share strengths of lab experiments (high control replicability)

Question 13

What are the weaknesses of Quasi Experiments?

Answer 13

• can’t show cause and effect as researcher hasn’t manipulated the IV
• less control over EV’s (particularly participant variables)