research methods: types of experiment Flashcards
lab, field, quasi, natural - strengths and weaknesses
what is a lab experiment
experiment conducted in a highly controlled environment - not always a laboratory
lab experiment - strengths
high control over extraneous variables (means researcher can ensure any change to the DV is because of manipulation of the IV) - means there is high internal validity
replication is more possible because it is highly controlled, this means it is ensured that new extraneous variables will not be introduced when repeating the experiment. - means you can check the validity of the findings through replication
lab experiment - limitations
can lack generalisability - a lab environment can be artificial so not applicable to real life.
participants are usually aware they’re being tested so they behave differently/unnaturally (demand characteristics)
can have low mundane realism - tasks participants are asked to do may not represent real-life experience
what is a field experiment
takes place in a natural/everyday setting
field experiment - strengths
higher mundane realism than lab because the environment is more natural - therefore they produce more authentic/valid behaviour, especially if they don’t know they are being studied. (therefore also high external validity)
field experiment - limitations
less control of extraneous variables - means cause and effect between IV and DV is harder to establish and its difficult to replicate
ethical issues - if participants aren’t aware they’re being studied they cannot consent, therefore it could be an invasion of privacy
what is a natural experiment
the change in the IV has already happened (not done by
researcher). researcher records the effect on DV
nautural experiment - strengths
provide the opportunity to research situations that you may not have been able to artificially create, for practical or ethical reasons.
High external validity - involve real-life issues
natural experiment - limitations
a naturally occurring event may occur very rarely, reducing the opportunities for research.
Participants may not be randomly allocated to the experimental conditions (only applies to independent groups) - less sure whether the IV affected the DV
what is a quasi experiment
when the IV is determined by pre-existing variables e.g. gender, age
quasi experiment - strengths
often carried out under controlled conditions so share the same strengths as lab experiments
quasi experiment - limitations
cannot randomly allocate participants to conditions, so there may be confounding variables
