Types of experiment

Question 1

What are the different types of experiment

Answer 1

• Laboratory
• Field
• Quasi
• Natural

Question 2

What is a laboratory experiment?

Answer 2

• An experiment that takes place in a special environment where variables are highly controlled

Question 3

What are the strengths and weaknesses of lab experiment

Answer 3

Strengths =
- High control over confounding variables and extraneous variables, increasing internal validity
- Can be replicated

Weaknesses = - Low external and ecological validity
- Low mundane realism
- Increased experimenter bias and demand characteristics

Question 4

What are field experiments?

Answer 4

• The experiment is conducted in a natural, everyday setting

Question 5

Evaluate Field experiments

Answer 5

Strengths = Higher mundane realism than lab experiments
- high ecological validity and external validity
L = Lack of control over CVS and EVS
- ethical issues such as informed consent and invasion of privacy

Question 6

What are natural experiments?

Answer 6

• A type of experiment where the IV is not brought about by the researcher and would have happened without the researcher being present
• for example a natural disaster

Question 7

Evaluate natural experiments

Answer 7

Strengths = Provide opportunities for research that would have been impossible otherwise
- High external validity - real life issues
L = Natural occurring events are rare so this means they are not generalisable
- Very difficult to randomise = when in independent groups designs it is difficult to group participants randomly which increases confounding and extraneous variables

Question 8

What are Quasi experiments?

Answer 8

• The IV is not determined by the researcher and naturally exists
• for example gender

Question 9

Evaluate Quasi experiments

Answer 9

S = Controlled variables and high internal validity, replicable
L = Cant randomly allocate participants increasing EVs and Cvs