Research Methods - Sec. 7

Question 1

What are the 4 experimental methods/types of experiments?

Answer 1

• Laboratory
• Field
• Natural
• Quasi

Question 2

What is a Laboratory experiment?

Answer 2

An experiment in a laboratory setting. In a lab experiment one variable, the independent variable, is altered.

Question 3

What is a field experiment?

Answer 3

Field experiments are conducted in everyday environments. A key (independent) variable is still altered.

Question 4

What is a natural experiment?

Answer 4

Natural experiments are conducted in a natural or everyday environment. The researcher observers an independent variable that they don’t have control over.

Question 5

What is a quasi experiment?

Answer 5

Quasi experiments are used when participants cannot be randomly allocated as the independent variable is a feature of someone (age, gender) and cannot be altered.

Question 6

What are the strengths and limitations of a Laboratory experiment?

Answer 6

Strengths:

• High control of variables (can avoid extraneous and independent variables).
• Easy to replicate (due to strict control).

Limitations/weaknesses:

• Lacks ecological validity (artificial).
• Demand characteristics (participants may adapt their behaviour according to what they thing is being investigated).
• Unethical (deception is often used, making informed consent difficult).

Question 7

What are the strengths and limitations of a Field experiment?

Answer 7

Strengths:

• High ecological validity (less artificial)
• Avoids demand characteristics (if participants don’t know they’re being observed they can’t change their behaviour)

Limitations/weaknesses:

• Less control (confounding variables are more likely)
• Unethical (participants who didn’t agree to take part may experience stress)

Question 8

What are the strengths and limitations of a Natural experiment?

Answer 8

• High ecological validity (less artificial)
• Avoids demand characteristics (if participants don’t know they’re being observed they can’t change their behaviour)
• Can be ethical (possible to study variables that it would be unethical to manipulate)

Limitations/weaknesses:

• Casual relationships (because you don’t manipulate the independent variable it can be hard to establish strong relationships)
• Can be unethical (deception may be used, making informed consent difficult)

Question 9

What are the strengths and limitations of a Quasi experiment?

Answer 9

• High ecological validity (less artificial)
• High control of variables (can avoid extraneous and independent variables).

Limitations/weaknesses:

• Casual relationships (because you don’t manipulate the independent variable it can be hard to establish strong relationships)
• Participant allocation (you can’t randomly allocate participants to conditions, thus confounding variables may affect results)