Types Of Experiments

Question 1

Laboratory experiments

Answer 1

Done under controlled conditions, researcher manipulates the IV to have a direct effect on the DV.

Question 2

Laboratory experiments (strengths)

Answer 2

High level of control over EV and CV, researcher can accurately examine effects if the IV (Contains Internal Validity)

Question 3

Laboratory experiments (Strength)

Answer 3

Replicable, study can be done to assess reliability of findings

Question 4

Laboratory experiments (weakness)

Answer 4

Lacks ecological validity, findings cannot be generalised to real life settings because of the researcher manipulating variables

Lacks external and ecological validity

Demand characteristics: participants may attempt to find out the studies aim and alter their behaviour to please the researcher

Question 5

Field experiments

Answer 5

Carried out in a natural setting, the researcher manipulates the IV to have an effect on the DV

Question 6

Field experiments (Strength)

Answer 6

Contains external validity, conducted in a natural environment so findings can be generalised beyond the setting of the study

Participants being covertly studied so demand characteristics are less of a problem

Question 7

Field experiment (Limitation)

Answer 7

Low level of control over EV and CV, this can distort the findings if the study as it affects the DV

Ethical issues as participants are being covertly studied no informed consent given

Question 8

Natural experiment

Answer 8

Conducted in a natural setting, the researcher does not manipulate the IV as its naturally changing

Question 9

Natural experiment (Strengths)

Answer 9

Contains Ecological validity, researcher isn’t manipulating any variable so the findings if the study can be generalised to real life settings

Contains external validity, conducted in a natural place so findings of the study can be generalised beyond the setting of the study

Demand characteristics less of a problem as participants are being covertly studied

Question 10

Natural experiment (Limitations)

Answer 10

Lack of control: Researcher contains no control over EV and CV which may have a direct affect on the DV so it lacks internal validity too

Not replicate: due to the low level of control, the exact procedures cannot be followed so reliability can’t be assessed

Ethical issues: No informed consent provided for participants behaviour to be observed