Types of experiment

Question 1

Laboratory experiment

Answer 1

Conducted in a highly controlled environment. Doesn’t have to just be a lab could be ,for example, a classroom.

Question 2

Laboratory experiment evaluation

Answer 2

Strengths
High control over confounding and extraneous variables. Researcher can ensure any effect on the DV is due to the manipulation of the IV. Replication is possible which means it has validity.

Limitations
May lack generalisability as the lab environment and task are both artificial (low external validity). Demand characteristics possible.

Question 3

Field experiments

Answer 3

The IV is manipulated in a natural setting (more everyday).

Question 4

Field experiments evaluation

Answer 4

Strengths
Higher mundane realism due to natural environment thus more valid and authentic behaviour (high external validity).

Limitations
Loss of controls of CV’s and EV’s. Ethical issues if px unaware they’re being studied as they can’t consent and such research might constitute an invasion of privacy.

Question 5

Natural experiments

Answer 5

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. Researcher records the effects on a DV they decided on.

Question 6

Natural experiments evaluation

Answer 6

Strengths
High external validity as they involve study of real-world issues and problems as they happen.

Limitations
Naturally occurring event may happen rarely reducing opportunities for research. Research can be conducted in a lab however this would lack realism and demand characteristics may be present.

Question 7

Quasi experiments

Answer 7

The IV has not been determined by anyone. For example, the IV could be age and gender.

Question 8

Quasi experiments evaluation

Answer 8

Strengths
Controlled conditions- shares same strengths with lab

Limitations
Cannot randomly allocate px’s to conditions so there may be confounding variables.