Types of experiment - AO3

Question 1

give the strengths of a lab experiment

Answer 1

• have high control over confounding variables
• have high control of extraneous variables
• ensures the effect on the DV us because of a change in the IV
• high internal validity
• replication is more possible

Question 2

what are the limitations of lab experiments

Answer 2

• lack generalisability
• low external validity
• may show demand characteristics
• low mundane realism

Question 3

what are the strengths of a field experiment

Answer 3

• higher mundane realism than lab experiments because the environment is more natural
• more valid and authentic
• high external validity

Question 4

what are the limitations of a field experiment

Answer 4

• loss of control of CV’s and EV’s means cause and effect between IV and DV is much more difficult to establish
• precise replication is not possible
• important ethical issues- participants can’t consent so it’s an invasion of privacy.

Question 5

what are the strengths of natural experiments

Answer 5

• high external validity

Question 6

what are the limitations for natural experiments

Answer 6

• a natural occurrence may not happen often limiting the scope for research and generalising it to other situations
• participants may not be randomly allocated to experimental conditions (only applies in independent group designs)

Question 7

what are the strengths of a Quasi experiment

Answer 7

• have good replication abilities

Question 8

what are the limitations of a quasi experiment

Answer 8

• may be confounding variables because participants can’t be randomly allocated to conditions
• the IV is not deliberately changed so we cant say the IV has caused a change in the DV