types of experiment

Question 1

laboratory experiment

Answer 1

an experiment that takes place in a controlled environment within which the researcher manipulated the IV and records the effect on the DV

whilst maintaining strict control of extraneous variables

Question 2

field experiment

Answer 2

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

Question 3

natural experiment

Answer 3

an experiment where the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would have happened even if the researcher had not been there

the researcher records the effect on a DV they have decided on

Question 4

quasi experiment

Answer 4

a study that is almost an experiment but lacks key ingrediants

the IV has not been determined by anyone - the variables simply exist, eg being old or young

Question 5

lab evals

Answer 5

strengths - high control over confounding and extraneous variables - ensure any effect on dv likely result of iv - higher internal validity - replication possible due to high control to allow for checking if valid

limitations - lack in generalisability as artificial - low external validity - also demand characteristics more likely and low mundane realism

Question 6

field experiments eval

Answer 6

strengths - higher mundane realism than lab experiments as environment more natural - more valid and authentic esp if unaware - high external validity

limitations - loss of control of confounding and extraneous variables so cause and effect between and IV and DV more difficult to establish and precise replication often not possible - risk of ethical issues eg consent or invasion of privacy

Question 7

natural experiments eval

Answer 7

strengths - unique opportunities eg practical or ethical reasons eg romanian orphan studies - high external validity as study of real-world issues eg effects of natural disaster of stress levels

limitations - event may be rare so reducing opportunities for research - limit scope for generalising findings - participants may not be randomly allocated to experimental conditions so less likely to know whether IV affected by DV - may be in a lab so lack realism and demand characteristics

Question 8

quasi experiment eval

Answer 8

controlled conditions - some strengths of labs

like natural experiment - cannot randomly allocate participants so may be confounding variables

as IV not deliberately changes by researcher we cannot explain IV has caused any observed change