types of experiments Flashcards
laboratory experiments
conducted in a highly controlled environment
not always in a lab can be in other places where conditions are well controlled
strenght of lab experiments
high control over confounding variable and extraneous variables
this means researcher can ensure that the effect on the dependent variable is likely to be the result of the IV
can be more certain about demonstrating cause and effect (high internal validity)
strength of lab experiments
replication is more possible than in other types of experiments because of a hugh level of control
ensures new extraneous variables are not introduced when repeating an experiment
replication allows us to check the results of the study are valid
limitation of lab study
lack generalisability
lab environment can be quite artificial and not like everyday life
in an unfamiliar context patipcants nmea behave in unusual ways so their behaviour cannot always be generalised beyond the research setting - low external validity
tasks that they are asked to do in a lab may not reperensetn everyday life which means it lacks mundane realism
limitation of lab experiments
particpants are usually aware they are being tested in a lab experiment and this may also give ruse to unnatural behaviour such as demand characteristics
field experiments
IV is manipulated in a natural mor everyday setting
researcher goes to the particpants usual environment rather than a lab
strenght of field experiments
have higher mundane realism than lab experiments as the environment is more natural
may produce behaviour that is more valid and more authentic
patipants may also be unaware that they are being studied - high external validity
limiatation of field experiment
loss of control over confounding and extraneous vairvales
means cause and effect between IV and do in field studies may be more difficult to establish
precise replication is often not possible
limitation of field experiment
ethical issues
if particpants are unaware of being studied thy cannot consent to being studied and the research may be an invasion of privacy
natural experiments
like lab and field as the researcher measures the effect of an IV on a DV
researcher has no control over the IV and annot change it
someone or soemthing else causes the IV to vary
IV is natural
DV may also be naturally occurring
strength of natural experiments
provide opportunities for research that may nt otherwise be undertaken for practical or ethical reasons
have high external validity as they involve the study of real world issues and problems as they happen such as the effects of a natural disaster on stress levels
limiatation of natural experiment
naturally occurring event may only happen very rarely reducing the opportunities for research
may also limit scope for generalising findings to other similar situations
quasi - experiments
have an IV that is based on an existing difference between people such as age or gender
no one has manipulated this variable it just simply exists
unlike a natural experiment the IV cannot be change
the DV may be naturally occurring
strength of Quasi experiments
often carried out under controlled conditions and therefore share some strenghts with lab experiments such as replication
limitation
like natural experiments cannot randomly allocate particpants to conditions and therefore there may be a confounding variable
