Types Of Experiment

Question 1

Define laboratory experiment

Answer 1

The Independent variable is completely controlled/ manipulated by the experimenter. The experiment takes place in an environment specially set up for the purpose

Question 2

Give an advantage and disadvantage of a laboratory experiment

Answer 2

A- less influence of extraneous variables because the experimenter controls the whole environment so results are more valid

D- very unnatural situation (low mundane realism) not like participants everyday lives so they may respond to demand characteristics and behave differently from how they’d normally behave

Question 3

Define field experiment

Answer 3

The Independent variable is still controlled/ manipulated by the experimenter, but the study takes place in a real-life setting e.g. College, hospital etc.

Question 4

Give an advantage and disadvantage of field experiment

Answer 4

A- participants are more likely to behave in a natural way because they’re in their normal environment (high mundane realism)

D- less control over extraneous variables, so you cant be sure that you’re definitely seeing the effect of the Independent variable so there is a lower validity

Question 5

Define quasi experiment

Answer 5

The experimenter has no control over the Independent variable. They just find where the different levels of the Independent variable are already happening in the real world and they monitor any changes in the Dependent variable.

Question 6

Give an advantage and disadvantage of quasi experiment

Answer 6

A- highly natural behaviour from participants (high mundane realism) this provides an ethical way to study dangerous/unhealthy behaviours because you don’t have to interfere.

D- little/no control over the extraneous variables so this reduces the validity.

Question 7

Define a longitudinal study

Answer 7

A study where the participants are monitored over a long period of time to see how their behaviour changes