Research Methods - Experiments Flashcards
What are the types of experiments?
Laboratory, Field, Natural , Quasi
What is a laboratory experiment?
An experiment that takes place in a special environment where by different variables can be carefully controlled .
What are the strengths of a laboratory experiment?
High degree of control- experimenters control all variables, the IV has been precisely replicated leading to greater accuracy. Replication- reasearchers can repeat experiments and check results.
What are the limitations of laboratory experiments ?
Experimenter bias - this bias can affect results and participants may be influenced by these expectations. Low ecological validity- high degree of control means the situation artificial, unlike real life.
What is a field experiment?
An experiment conducted in a more natural environment,not in a lab but with variables still being well controlled,e.g Hoffling (1966)
What are the strengths for a field experiment?
Naturalistic- so more natural behaviors hence high ecological validity - Controlled IV
What are the limitations of a field experiment ?
Ethical considerations- invasion of privacy and a lack a consent
Loss of control over extraneous variables hence precise replication is not possible.
What is a quasi experiment?
An experiment where by the IV has not been determined by the researcher instead it naturally exists eg gender difference studies.
What is a strength of quasi experiments?
Controlled conditions - hence replicable likely to have high internal validity.
What are limitations of quasi experiments?
Cannot randomly allocate participants - to conditions so there may be confounding variables presented.This makes it harder to conclude that IV is caused the DV.
What is natural experiment?
An experiment in which the IV is not brought about by the researcher hence would have happened even is the researcher had not been there eg is studying reactions to earthauanes.
