Types of experiments

Question 1

what are the types of experiments

Answer 1

• lab
• field
• quasi
• natural

Question 2

define lab experiment

Answer 2

An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV, whilst maintaining strict control of extraneous variables.

Question 3

Give an example of a lab experiment

Answer 3

Bandura et al 1961
- he manipulated the IV of exposure to agression to see the effect on the DV imitation of agression by children.

Question 4

what are the strength of lab experiments

Answer 4

• due to high level of control - cause and effect can be infered
• more objective due to high control and accurate measurement of variables
• more repeatable due to standardised conditions.

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of lab experiments

Answer 5

• lack generalisability due to a lack of ecological validity and mundane realism.
• total control of all variables is not possible
• results are more likely to be biased by sampling, demand characteristics, experimenter bias.
• May raise ethical issues such as deception

Question 6

define field experiment

Answer 6

An experiment that takes place in a natural setting within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV.

Question 7

Give an example of a field experiment

Answer 7

Hofling Nurse experiment 1966
- tested obedience of nurses in a hospital when a doctor they didnt know asked them to administer an overdose of medication

Question 8

what are the strengths of field experiments

Answer 8

• greater ecological validity due to the natural environment
• less bias from sampling and demand characteristics

Question 9

what are the weaknesses of field experiments

Answer 9

• less control so greater likelihood of bias from extraneous variables
• difficult to replicate - reduces reliability
• more difficult to record data accurately
• ethical issues of consent, deception and invasion of privacy

Question 10

define natural experiment

Answer 10

an experiment where the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would have happened even if the researcher had not been there.
The researcher records the effect on the DV

Question 11

Give an example of a natural experiment

Answer 11

Rutter’ romanian orphans 2007
- investigated the effects of institutionalisation

Question 12

what are the strengths of natural experiments

Answer 12

• greater ecological validity
• very little bias from sampling and demand characteristics
• allows study of what would be unethical experiments

Question 13

what are the weaknesses of natural experiments

Answer 13

• hard to infer cause and effect due to little control
• almost impossible to replicate
• ethical issues of consent, deception, invasion of privacy

Question 14

define quasi experiment

Answer 14

A study that is almost an experiment but lacks a key ingredient. The IV has not been determined by anyone, the variables simply exist, e.g. being old or young

strictly speaking this is not an experiment.