types of experiments Flashcards
1
Q
types of experiments
A
laboratory, field, natural and quasi
2
Q
what is a laboratory experiment?
A
controlled artificial environment
3
Q
advantages of lab experiments
A
- controlled environment
4
Q
disadvantages of lab experiments
A
- artificial environment - low mundane realism
5
Q
what is a field experiment?
A
take place outside of the lab, in a natural environment but the basic scientific procedures are still followed as far as possible
6
Q
advantages of field experiments
A
- less artificial than a lab but still an experiment - higher mundane realism
- represents reality
- can be completed in natural environments
- avoids participant effects (if they are not aware of the study) therefore it should produce behaviour which is more natural and valid less demand characteristics
7
Q
disadvantages of field experiments
A
- extraneous variables less easy to control therefore less able to show cause and effect
- ethical issues - participants unlikely to know they are being studied
8
Q
natural or quasi experiments
A
- Effects of the IV on the DV can be observed by the experimenter.
- Strictly speaking an experiment involves the deliberate manipulation of an IV by an experimenter, therefore natural and quasi experiments are not ‘true experiments‘
- Cause-and effect conclusions cannot be made with the same certainty as in lab experiments.
9
Q
what is a natural experiment?
A
- Natural environment
- Independent variable not manipulated taking advantage of a naturally occurring event.
10
Q
advantages of natural experiment
A
- High in ecological validity (represents real life experiences)provides opportunities for research which otherwise may not be available.
- Enables psychologists to study ‘real’ problems
- Objective research method – little interference from researcher
- Few ethical issues
11
Q
disadvantages of natural experiment
A
- A naturally occurring event may happen very rarely which limits the opportunity to investigate this also limits generalisability
- Many extraneous variables which are a threat to ‘cause – effect’ conclusion
- Participants are not randomly allocated to conditions which may mean that there is some bias in the sample.
12
Q
what is a quasi experiment?
A
- In quasi experiments the IV is a naturally existing characteristic between people and has not been changed by anyone or anything.
- Gender, eye colour, ethnicity, IQ etc….
13
Q
advantages of quasi experiment
A
- Useful when it’s unethical to manipulate the IV
- Studies the ‘real effects’ so there is increased realism and ecological validity
14
Q
disadvantages of quasi experiment
A
- Confounding environmental variables are more likely= less reliable
- Must wait for the IV to occur
- Can only be used where conditions vary naturally
- Aware they’re studied= less internal validity
15
Q
examples of quasi experiment
A
Milgram and Grifiths (1994)
Baron Cohen (1997)
