RESEARCH METHODS: Natural Experiments

Question 1

What is a natural experiment

Answer 1

Where the IV is NOT manipulated, taking advantage of a naturally

Question 2

Advantages of a natural experiment

Answer 2

• High in ecological validity (represents real life experiences). Providing opportunities for research which otherwise may not be available
• Enables psychologists to study ‘real’ problems
• Objective research method - little interference from researcher
• Few ethical issues

Question 4

Disadvantages of a natural experiment

Answer 4

• A naturally occurring event may occur very rarely which limits the opportunity to investigate. This also limits generalisability
• Many extraneous variables which are a threat to ‘cause-effect’ conclusions
• Participants are not randomly allocated to conditions which may mean that there is some bias in the sample