RM - Year 1

Question 1

Define quasi experiment

Answer 1

In a quasi experiment, the IV is pre-existing (e.g. sex, locus of control) and the researcher measures the effect of the quasi-IV on a DV (may be measured in a lab)

Question 2

Strength of a quasi experiment

Answer 2

Quasi experiments allow comparisons between types of people

Question 3

Limitations of quasi experiments

Answer 3

• Participants may be aware of being studied, creating demand characteristics, therefore reducing internal validity
• DV may be an artificial task, reducing mundane realism

Question 4

Define natural experiment

Answer 4

A method of research where the researcher has not manipulated the IV directly either for ethical or practical reasons (the IV varies ‘naturally), and the researcher records the effect of the IV on a DV (often in a lab)

Question 5

Strengths of natural experiments

Answer 5

• Allows research where IV can’t be manipulated for practical/ethical reasons
• Studies real-world problems, therefore increasing mundane realism and ecological validity

Question 6

Limitations of natural experiments

Answer 6

• Cannot demonstrate causal relationships as the IV has not been directly manipulated
• Random allocation is not possible, therefore confounding variables can’t be controlled, lowering internal validity
• Can only be used when conditions vary naturally

Question 7

Define field experiment

Answer 7

Controlled experiment that is conducted outside a lab - the IV is still manipulated and therefore causal relationships can be demonstrated

Question 8

Strengths of field experiments

Answer 8

• Less artificial environment/task, therefore higher mundane realism and ecological validity
• Participants are often unaware that they are being studied (decreased demand characteristics)

Question 9

Limitations of field experiments

Answer 9

• Less control of extraneous/confounding variables, reducing internal validity
• More time-consuming, therefore more expensive

Question 10

Strength of opportunity sampling

Answer 10

Easiest method, takes less time to locate sample

Question 11

Limitation of opportunity sampling

Answer 11

• Biased as the sample is drawn from a small part of the population (e.g. samples can be affected by time of day, professional people may be at work if you get a sample during working hours)

Question 12

Strength of random sampling

Answer 12

Unbiased: all members of target population have equal chances of selection

Question 13

Limitation of random sampling

Answer 13

May be time-consuming, as it requires a list of members of the population + contacting those selected

Question 14

Strength of stratified sampling

Answer 14

More representative than other methods as there is a proportional and randomly selected representation of sub-groups

Question 15

Limitation of stratified sampling

Answer 15

Very time-consuming - need to identify sub-groups, then randomly select, then contact those selected

Question 16

Strength of systematic sampling

Answer 16

Unbiased as selection is determined by an objective system

Question 17

Limitation of systematic sampling

Answer 17

Not truly unbiased/random unless numbers are selected using a random method, then start with this person then every nth person

Question 18

Strength of volunteer sampling

Answer 18

Gives access to a variety of ppts (e.g. those who read a certain newspaper) which may result in a representative and less biased sample

Question 19

Limitation of volunteer sampling

Answer 19

Volunteer bias is possible as ppts are either more likely to be highly motivated/with extra time on their hands, or poorer and needing the money offered for participation