types of experiment

Question 1

list the 4 Types of experiment

Answer 1

laboratory experiments
field experiments
natural experiments
quasi-experiments

Question 2

define laboratory experiments

Answer 2

The takes place in a controlled environment within which the researcher manipulates the independent variable and records the effect on the dependent variable

Question 3

evaluate laboratory experiments

Answer 3

+ High control over confounding and extraneous variables
This means there is a high internal validity

• there is a chance of demand characteristics
• artificial conditions are likely to create artificial behavior which leads to a lack of ecological validity

Question 4

define field experiments

Answer 4

It takes place in a natural setting within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV

Question 5

evaluate field experiments

Answer 5

+ Higher mundane realism than lab experiment which leads to more valid and authentic behavior
- there is a loss of control over confounding and extraneous variables
- ethical issues due to participants being unaware that they are being studied so they can’t consent to it

Question 6

explain natural experiments

Answer 6

the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher BUT would have happened if the researcher wasn’t there

Question 7

evaluate natural experiments

Answer 7

+ There is a high external and ecological validity
- natural events are so rare that is hard to record and replicate
- participants may not be randomly allocated
- it’s hard to infer cause-and-effect you to little control over extraneous variables

Question 8

define quasi experiments

Answer 8

IV simply exists but it hasn’t been operationalised

Question 9

evaluate quasi-experiments

Answer 9

+ controlled conditions
- possibility of confounding variables
- IV isn’t deliberately changed therefore cause and effect cannot be established