Research Methods- Types Of Experiment/Data Flashcards
What is a lab experiment?
Conducted under highly controlled conditions where accurate measurements are possible.
What are the advantages of lab experiments?
High levels of control, c+a more certain- internally valid.
Can be easily replicated- reliable.
What are the disadvantages of lab experiments?
Artificial environment, low ecological validity
Ptpts know they’re being studied, demand characteristics
What is a field experiment?
Done in every day environment of ptpts. Experimenter still manipulates IV, but in a real life setting.
What are the advantages of field experiments?
Higher in mundane realism- ecological validity.
Lower risk of demand characteristics
What are the disadvantages of field experiments?
More difficult to control evs
Raises ethical issues e.g. informed consent
What is a natural experiment?
Done in every day environment of ptpts. Experimenter has no control over the IV as it naturally occurs in real life.
What is a quasi experiment?
Contain a naturally occurring IV. This iv is a difference between people that already exists e.g. age/gender, researcher examines effects of this variable on the DV.
What are the advantages of natural/quasi experiments?
Allows research where situations would be ethically unacceptable to manipulate IV.
Behaviour in natural environments are more generalisable to real life (ecologically valid)
What are the disadvantages of natural/quasi experiments?
Many EVs- difficult to establish cause and effect
Expensive and difficult to carry out
What is a pilot study?
A small scale ‘trial run’ which takes place before the real experiment is conducted. Usually done on a small sample size.
What are the aims of pilot studies?
To check procedure, materials etc. Allows researcher to make any necessary modifications. Important because it can save time/money/effort.
What is primary data?
Data which has been collected directly by the researcher, solely for the purpose of the experiment.
What is secondary data?
Information that has been collected by someone else e.g. the published work of other psychologists.
What is a meta-analysis?
A systematic review that involves identifying an aim and researching previous studies that addressed similar aims/hypotheses.
