RM Types of experiment

Question 1

Strengths of laboratory experiment

Answer 1

• high control extraneous variables allowing effects on the DV due to manipulation of the IV
• more possible to replicate due to high control which is useful to be able to check the validity of the experiment

Question 2

Limitations of laboratory experiment

Answer 2

• artificial environment so lacks generalisability
• Participants may not act this way in real life, so it has low external validity
• tasks may not replicate real-life experience e.g recalling an unconnected list of words.

Question 3

Strengths of field experiments

Answer 3

• high ecological validity because it occurs in participants’ natural environment so they are more likely to behave in a genuine way

Question 4

limitations of field experiments

Answer 4

• hard to find a cause and effect as researcher has less control of extraneous variables.
• precise replication is difficult which decreases reliability
• EE lacks informed consent - participants do not know that they are being studied, therefore they cannot give informed consent
• invasion of privacy if they do not know being studied

Question 5

strengths of Natural experiments

Answer 5

• high external validity as they involve the study of real life issues as they happen
• allows for opportunities for research that cannot be done for ethical and practical reasons

Question 6

Limitations of natural experiments

Answer 6

• naturally occurring events may not happen often which reduces research opportunities
• participants may not be randomly allocated to experimental conditions
• can still produce EE - often conducted after traumatic events which could cause harm to the participant

Question 7

strengths of quasi experiments

Answer 7

• controlled conditions, allowing effects on the DV due to manipulation of the IV
• more possible to replicate
• can study real world problems better

Question 8

limitations of quasi experiments

Answer 8

• cannot randomly allocate participants to conditions and therefore may have confounding variables.
• in a natural setting they cannot show causal relationships as there is no control of the IV

Question 9

what are laboratory experiments

Answer 9

experiments conducted in highly controlled environments

- not always in a lab

Question 10

what are field experiments

Answer 10

IV manipulated in a more natural setting

Question 11

what are natural experiments

Answer 11

the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would have happened even if the researcher was not there

Question 12

what are quasi experiments

Answer 12

• it examines pre-existing differences between people.

- they have an IV that is based on existing differences, it is not manipulated, it just exists