Types of experiment

Question 1

Types of experiment

List

Answer 1

Laboratory experiment
Field experiment
Natural experiment
Quasi-experiment

Question 2

Laboratory experiment

Answer 2

• an experiment that takes place IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT e.g. a laboratory
• where the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV
• involves strict control of extraneous variables

Question 3

Laboratory experiment

Strengths

Answer 3

-extraneous variables are controlled  
└effect on DV due to manipulation of IV
└=high internal validity 
-high level of control= easily replicated 
└increases validity

Question 4

Laboratory experiment

Limitations

Answer 4

-demand characteristics
└as can guess aim of study
-low mundane realism
└as doesn’t represent real-life experiences
-lack generalizability (artificial setting)
└=low external validity

Question 5

Field experiment

Answer 5

• an experiment that takes place IN A NATURAL SETTING

- where the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV

Question 6

Field experiment

Strengths

Answer 6

-higher mundane realism
-can generalise more
└=higher external validity

Question 7

Field experiment

Limitations

Answer 7

-less control of extraneous variables
└effect on DV may not be due to manipulation of IV
└=lower internal validity
-lower level of control= less easily replicated
└decreases validity
-ethical issues
└no informed consent if unaware they are being studied

Question 8

Natural experiment

Answer 8

• an experiment

- where the CHANGE IN THE IV OCCURS NATURALLY and the researcher records the effect on the DV

Question 9

Natural experiment

Strengths

Answer 9

-provide opportunities for research that may not have otherwise been done due to practical or ethical reasons 
└e.g. Roman orphanage studies (Rutter)
-high mundane realism
└as represents real-life experiences
-good generalizability 
└=high external validity

Question 10

Natural experiment

Limitations

Answer 10

-naturally occurring events don’t happen regularly
└=less research opportunities
-less control of extraneous variables (can’t use random allocation)
└effect on DV may not be due to manipulation of IV
└=lower internal validity
-lower level of control= less easily replicated
└decreases validity

Question 11

Quasi-experiment

Answer 11

-a study that is not technically an experiment
-IV has not been determined by anyone, the variables just exist
└e.g. being old or young

Question 12

Quasi-experiment

Strengths

Answer 12

-extraneous variables are controlled  
└effect on DV due to manipulation of IV
└=high internal validity 
-high level of control= easily replicated 
└increases validity

Question 13

Quasi-experiment

Limitations

Answer 13

-less control of extraneous variables (can’t use random allocation)
└effect on DV may not be due to manipulation of IV
└=lower internal validity
-lower level of control= less easily replicated
└decreases validity