Research methods: experimental methods Flashcards
What is a lab experiment?
This is where the experimenter has complete control and it is usually set in an artificial setting
the IV is directly manipulated by the researcher
participants can also be randomly allocated to either conditions of the experiment
What are the advantages of a lab experiment?
The procedure can be replicated, is reliable
An experiment can give quantitative data which can be easily analysed
There is high control over variables so cause and effect can be established
It is possible to generalize results if a representative sample has been used
What are the disadvantages of a lab experiment?
lack of ecological validity
participants may show demand characteristics
What is a field experiment?
These are experiments that are conducted in the natural environment of those being studied but the IV is still directly manipulated.
What are the advantages of field experiment?
Improved ecological validity
Reduction of demand characteristics as participants may be unaware of taking part
What are the limitations of a field experiment?
Lack of control over variables
Harder to replicate
realism is higher but cannot be generalized as other real life settings will differ
What is a quasi experiment?
It can be conducted in a field or a lab but the IV is not manipulated- it a natural difference between two groups
What are the advantages of a quasi experiment?
With many variables it is the only type of experiment that can be done as it would be unethical to manipulate the IV.
If it is possible to control extraneous variables the cause and effect can be established.
What are the limitations of a quasi experiment?
can’t control extraneous variables
What is a natural experiment?
It can be conducted in a field or lab setting but the IV varies naturally and its effect on the DV is recorded.
What are the advantages of a natural experiment?
They provide opportunities for research that may not be undertaken for practical or ethical reasons
they have high external validity because they involve the study of real life issues and problems as they happen
What are the limitations of a natural experiment?
a naturally, occuring event may only happen very rarely, reducing the opportunities for research. This also limits the scope for generalising findings to other similar situations
difficult to replicate
more expensive and time consuming
less sure whether it is the IV that affects the DV making it biased
