types of experiment

Question 1

experimental method

Answer 1

system of scientific investigation that involved the manipulation of the IV by the researcher which causes a corresponding change in the DV which is observed and recorded

Question 2

laboratory experiment

Answer 2

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 control of extraneous variables

Question 3

field experiment

Answer 3

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

Question 4

natural experiment

Answer 4

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 the DV they have decided on

Question 5

quasi experiment

Answer 5

where the IV is a naturally occurring difference between participants. The IV has not been determined by the researcher- the variables simply exist

Question 6

strengths of laboratory experiments

Answer 6

• high control over CVs and EVs which ensures that the researcher can determine cause and effect
• replication is more possible because of the high level of control (ensures that EVs are not introduced when repeating the experiment)

Question 7

weaknesses of laboratory experiments

Answer 7

• may lack generalisability. lab environment is artificial and not like every day life so participants may behave unusually in unfamiliar contexts
• demand characteristics- participants are aware that they are being tested
• tasks that participants carry out may not represent every day experience

Question 8

strengths of field experiments

Answer 8

• higher mundane realism than lab experiments because the environment is natural so behaviour is more valid and authentic
• demand characteristics are less likely as participants may not know they are being studied

Question 9

weaknesses of field experiments

Answer 9

• increased mundane realism leads to loss of control of CVs and EVs. So cause and effect is more difficult to establish
• ethical issues as participants cannot consent to being studied so research may constitute an invasion of privacy

Question 10

strengths of natural experiments

Answer 10

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

Question 11

weaknesses of natural experiments

Answer 11

• naturally occurring events may happen rarely, reducing opportunities for research and limits scope for generalisation
• participants may not be randomly allocated to conditions so it is harder for the researcher to establish cause and effect

Question 12

strengths of quasi experiments

Answer 12

• controlled conditions so less EVs and CVs and replication more possible
• allows us to explore naturally occurring differences between different types of people

Question 13

weaknesses of quasi experiments

Answer 13

• cannot randomly allocate participants to conditions and therefore may be CVs
• IV is not deliberately changed by the researcher therefore we cannot claim that the IV has caused any observed change

Question 14

type of experiment definition

Answer 14

when the researcher has an IV that they either manipulate or is naturally occurring, and where it takes place