Types of Experiments

Question 1

Laboratory (lab) Experiments

Answer 1

Conducted in a highly controlled environment
Researcher manipulates IV and records effect on the DV
Strict control on extraneous variables

Question 2

Strengths of Lab experiments

Answer 2

• High control on confounding + extraneous variables - more certain cause and effect => high internal validity
• Replication is more possible from high level of control - ensures no extraneous variables aren’t introduced when repeating

Question 3

Limitation of lab experiments

Answer 3

• Lack generalisability - environment is artifical so pps may act in unnatural ways in unfamiliar context - LOW External validity
• Pps aware they are being tested do may act unnaturally - demand charateristics
• Tasks carried out don’t represent daily experience e.g. learning word lists - Low mundane realism

Question 4

Field experiment

Answer 4

Takes in a natural setting where research manipulates the IV + record effect on DV

Question 5

Strength of field experiment

Answer 5

• Higher mundane realism as environment is authentic especially when pps are unaware they are studied - HIGH external validity

Question 6

Limitations of field experiment

Answer 6

• Loss of control of CVs + EVs so cause + effect is harder to estabilish + precise replication not possible
• Ethical issues as pps are unaware - can’t consent to being studied - invasion of privacy

Question 7

Natural experiments

Answer 7

An experiment where change in IV is brought about naturally/ not by researcher
=> records the effect on a DV they decided they decided on

Question 8

Strength on Natural experiment

Answer 8

• Provides opportunity for research that can’t occur for practical or ethical reasons
• often have high external validity as they involve study of real world issues and problems as they happen

Question 9

Limitation of Natural experiments

Answer 9

• naturally occuring event is rare - limits scope for generalising findings to similar research
• pps not randomly allocated to experimental conditions so less sure whether IV affected DV
• Research conducted in a lab => lack realism + demand characteristics

Question 10

Quasi experiments

Answer 10

Is almost an experiment - IV not determined by anyone but just exists e.g. being young or old

Question 11

Strength of quasi experiment

Answer 11

• often in controled conditions + share some strength of a lab experiment

Question 12

Limitations of quasi experiment

Answer 12

• Cannot randomly allocate pps to conditions so may be confounding variables
• IV isn’t deliberately changed so we cannot claim the IV caused observable change