types of experiment

Question 1

laboratory experiment

Answer 1

an experiment that takes place in a controlled environment within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV, whilst maintaining strict conrol of extraneous variables

Question 2

laboratory experiment - strengths

Answer 2

-high control over extraneous and confounding variables. this means the researcher can be sure that any effect on the DV was due to manipulation of the IV. This means a cause and effect relationship can be established, giving high internal validity
-easily replicated due to high level of control. this ensures new extraneous variables are not introduced when repeating an experiment. this is important as replication is vital to see if study results are valid and not just a one off

Question 3

laboratory experiments - limitations

Answer 3

-lack generalisability as the lab environment may be artificial and not like everyday life. in an unfamiliar context, participants may behave in unusual ways so behaviour cannot be generalised to everyday life so has low external validity
-participants are aware they are being tested so may give rise to ‘unnatural behaviour’ which is demand characteristics
-the tasks the participants are required to carry out are not representative of everyday experience –> mundane realism

Question 4

field experiment

Answer 4

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

Question 5

field experiment - strengths

Answer 5

-higher mundane realism than lab experiments as environment is more natural, therefore behaviour produced may be more valid and authentic. this is especially the case when participants are not aware they are being watched–> high external validity

Question 6

field experiments - limitations

Answer 6

-loss of control of confounding and extraneous variables. this means cause and effect between IV and DV is much harder to establish and precise replication is not always possible
-there are ethical issues if participants do not know that they are being watched as they cannot consent and that may count as an invasion of privacy

Question 7

natural experiments

Answer 7

an experiment where the change in the IV is not bought about by the researcher but would have happened even if they researcher had not been there. The researcher records the effect on the DV they have decided on

Question 8

natural experiments strengths

Answer 8

-provides research opportunities for research that may not otherwise be undertaken for practical or ethical reasons
-high external validity as they involve the study of real-world issues and problems as they happen

Question 9

natural experiments limitations

Answer 9

-the naturally occuring event may only happen very rarely so opportunities for research are reduced and generalisability is limited.
-participants may not be randomly allocated to experimental conditions, so the researcher may not be sure if IV affected the DV.

Question 10

quasi-experiments

Answer 10

IV is based on existing difference between people (such as age). This variable cannot be manipulated it just simply exists. The DV may be naturally occurring or results may be devised by experimenter and measured in the field or lab

Question 11

quasi-experiments strengths

Answer 11

-carried out under controlled conditions so share some strengths of a lab experiment such as replication

Question 12

quasi experiments limitations

Answer 12

-cannot randomly allocate participants to conditions so there may be confounding variables
-IV is not deliberately changed by the researcher so we cannot claim the IV has caused the change