Research Methods- Lab And Field Experiments And Case Studies

Question 1

Give some AO1 characteristics of a lab experiment and how they link to criminal EWT

Answer 1

-artificial, highly controlled environment = e.g being shown videos of car crash on a screen compared to witnessing it in real life

-the independent variable is manipulated, and the dependant variable is measured in the lab = independent is word changed in leading question, and dependent is the mean est speed of cars

-extraneous variables can easily be controlled through the environment, stopping them confounding results = things like temperature, noise, distractions are all controlled for

-participants are usually volunteer sample = Loftus used volunteer university students, so they knew they were apart of an experiment but not the aim

Question 2

Give some AO1 characteristics of a field experiment and how they link to criminal EWT

Answer 2

-experiment is conducted in a natural, everyday environment =

-the independent variable is still easily able to be manipulated, dependant variable measured but within a natural environment

-much more likely to be susceptible to extraneous variables that can confound results due to reduced control = emotions such as stress and anxiety are involved which aren’t as extreme in a lab exp

-participants are usually apart of an opportunity sample and do not know in advance they are apart of an experiment = real eyewitnesses to a crime

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Question 3

Outlin some of the AO1 features of a case study and explain how it links to criminal

Answer 3

-usually only 1 or very few ppts make up the sample

-they may be studied because they have a rare or unique thing about them making them valuable for research