Types of experiments

Question 1

What is a lab experiment?

Answer 1

conducted in a highly controlled environment with standardised procedures.

Question 2

Lab experiment strengths

Answer 2

• High control over extraneous variables → meaning DV is probably due to IV so establishing cause and effect relationship is easier
• Can be more certain of findings → high internal validity
• Replication is more possible

Question 3

Lab experiment limitations

Answer 3

• May lack generalisability → artificial environment (low external validity) - low mundane realism
• PPT usually aware being tested → may show demand characteristics

Question 4

what are Field experiments ?

Answer 4

takes place in a natural setting within the researcher manipulates the IV

Question 5

Field experiments strengths

Answer 5

• Higher mundane realism as environment natural
• May produce more valid and authentic behaviour → high external validity

Question 6

Field experiments limitations

Answer 6

• Loss of control of extraneous variables → cause and effect of IV and DV hard to navigate so replication not always possible
• Ethical issues → ppt not aware so consent ?

Question 7

What is a natural experiment?

Answer 7

when the researcher takes advantage of a pre-existing independent variable - event would have happened even if the researcher wasn’t there.

Question 8

Natural experiment strengths

Answer 8

• Provide opportunities for research that may not have occurred otherwise, ie practical or ethical reasons → ex rutter romanian orphan study
• High external validity → as involve real - life issues as they happen

Question 9

Natural experiment limitations

Answer 9

• Scope for generalising is rare - events may be rare
• PPT may not be randomly allocated → less sure if IV caused DV

Question 10

what are Quasi experiments ?

Answer 10

have an IV based on an existing difference between people ie gender or age. → no one has manipulated this variable it simply exists

Question 11

Quasi expeiment strengths

Answer 11

• Often under controlled conditions → high internal validity
• Simply only way to study these factors / characteristics

Question 12

Quasi experiment limitation

Answer 12

• Cannot randomly allocate ppt so may be confounding variables