Types of experiment Flashcards
What are the 4 key types of experiment?
- Laboratory
- Field
- Natural
- Quasi
What are laboratory experiments?
Take place in highly controlled environments, researcher manipulates IV and records effect on DV
What are the strengths of laboratory experiments?
- High control over extraneous variables (high internal validity)
- Replication is possible
What are the limitations of laboratory experiments?
- May lack generalisation (low external validity)
- Demand characteristics
- Low mundane realism
What is mundane realism?
The degree to which the materials and procedures involved in an experiment are similar to real world events
What are field experiments?
Takes place in a natural, more everyday setting. Researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV
What are the strengths of field experiments?
- High mundane realism (high external validity)
What are the limitations of field experiments?
- Less control over extraneous variables
- Replication is difficult
- Ethical issues
What are natural experiments?
Researcher takes advantage of pre-existing variables. IV is brought about naturally, not by researcher
What are the strengths of natural experiments?
- Allows research which may not be ethical otherwise to take place
- High external validity (real-life issues)
What are the limitations of natural experiments?
- Less scope for generalisation
- Reduced research opportunities
- Random allocation to experimental conditions
What are quasi experiments?
IV is based on an existing difference between people (e.g. age, gender). No manipulation of the IV
What are the strengths of quasi experiments?
- Carried out under controlled conditions
- High control over extraneous variables (high internal validity)
- Replication is possible
What are the limitations of quasi experiments?
- Lack of random allocation
- Confounding variables
