Types of Experiments

Question 1

Describe the experimental method

Answer 1

The manipulation of variables in order to establish cause and effect relationships

Question 2

What are laboratory experiments?

Answer 2

Experiment conducted under heavily controlled conditions in a lab

Question 3

What are natural experiments?

Answer 3

Carried out in natural conditions, examines the effect of a naturally occurring variable on the DV

Question 4

What is a quasi experiment?

Answer 4

Contain a naturally occurring IV however it is a difference between people that already exists (e.g. gender or age)

Question 5

What is a field experiment?

Answer 5

Conducted in a natural setting, some variables cannot be controlled but the IV is still altered to measure the DV against

Question 6

Describe ecological validity

Answer 6

Refers to the extent to which the findings can be generalised to a real life setting

Question 7

Describe mundane realism

Answer 7

The degree to which the materials/procedures involved in an experiment are similar to events that occur in the real world

Question 8

What are ethical issues?

Answer 8

Issues which arise when a conflict emerges in research, between the rights of participants and the intended aims of the research