Types Of Experiment Flashcards
What is an experiment
A change in independent variable
Lab experiment
Controlled artificial environment, independent variable is manipulated, participants are randomly assigned conditions
Strength lab experiment
Scientific because planned manipulation, highly controlled therefore can measure extraneous variables, replicable, reliable results
Field experiment
Natural environment, independent variable is manipulated
Advantage of field experiment
High external validity, reflects real world
Weakness field experiment
Harder to replicate, reduced reliability
Natural experiment
Independent variable not manipulated, unplanned and has occured because of a naturally occurring event. Could be natural or controlled setting
Strengths of natural experiment
Natural behaviour - lack of demand characteristics
Weakness natural experiment
No control of confounding variables
Quasi experiment
Independent variable not manipulated - based on existing differences between people
- planned manipulation of naturally occurring independent variable
- natural or controlled setting
Strength quasi experiment
High ecological validity - lack of involvement from researcher, variables naturally occurring so findings can easily be generalised to real life
Weakness quasi
Not replicable due to researchers lack of control, reliability of results cannot be checked
