types of experiments Flashcards
A strength of laboratory experiments:high internal validity
E:this is because researchers have control over variables such as randomly locating participants to either condition helping control for participant EVs. the controlled conditions allows them to have good control over situational EVs
A limitation of laboratory experiments:low external validity.
E:lab experiments take place in controlled conditions which are artificial. this may influence the participant to behave unnaturally. therefore there may be difficulty generalising findings outside the artificial experimental settings.
A strength of field experiments:high external validity.
E: field experiments take place in naturalistic settings meaning participants are more likely to behave naturally, meaning it is easier to generalise research findings to real world situations.
A limitation of field experiments:love internal validity.
E:the lack of controlled conditions makes it difficult to control for situation EVs like noise which means it is uncertain that the only factor affecting the Dependent variable is the Independent variable.
A strength of quasi experiments:they are necessary.
E:pre-existing differences such as age and gender are important to study and cannot be randomly allocated to particular conditions.if researches base their study on pre-existing variables, quasi must be used.
A limitation of quasi:low internal validity.
E:it is impossible to use experimental controls like random allocation because the independent variable is based of pre existing differences. this means that extraneous variables are not controlled.
A strength of natural experiments: high external validity
E: natural experiments use the study of real life events that would happen despite of the researchers presence. this means it is quite easy to generalise findings to the real world.
A limitation of natural experiments:low internal validity.
E:it is impossible to randomly allocate participants since the independent variable changes without the researchers influence, meaning the participant EVs are not controlled for making it difficult to infer that the change in the DV is the result of the IV.
