Types Of Experiments

Question 1

What are the 4 types of experiements

Answer 1

Lab

Field

Natural

Quasi

Question 2

Whats a lab experiment

Answer 2

The researcher manipulates the IV in a controlled environment (to reduce EVs) and the effects of IV and DVs are measured

Question 3

Whats a field experiment

Answer 3

The IV is being manipulated in a natural setting (normally participants are generally unaware they are taking part)

Question 4

Whats a natural experiment

Answer 4

The IV is naturally occurring and isn’t being manipulated, and the researcher records the effect of the naturally occurring IV on the DV

Question 5

Whats a quasi experiment

Answer 5

The IV is based on existing differences between people (age or gender). A quasi experiment can take place in a controlled setting

Question 6

Whats validity

Answer 6

The extent to which the findings of the experiment is accurate/true

Question 7

Whats reliability

Answer 7

The extent to which the findings of the study are consistent

Question 8

Strengths and limitations of a lab experiment

Answer 8

Strengths= the EVs and CVs can be controlled, meaning they an be minimised = high internal validity
Strength= can be replicated with ease, lots of control to repeat the experiment = more findings can lead to high reliability

Weakness = Lack generalisability, artificial experiment and the participants know they are being studied = low external validity
Weakness = Demand characteristics, the cues given in the study can invite a particular responce from participants = low internal validity)

Question 9

Strengths and limitations of field experiments

Answer 9

Strength = natural environment, behaviour from participants are more authentic and realistic = results can be generalised to day to day life.
Strength = unaware they are being studied, no demand characteristics or social desirability bias = high external validity

Weakness = ethical issues, haven’t got informed consent off the participants = invasion of privacy
Weakness = difficult to control EV/CV, impact the results from the participants = difficult to establish the cause and effect

Question 10

Strengths and weaknesses of natural experiment

Answer 10

Strengths = high external validity, natural experiments involve real world issues = findings are more relevant to real experiments

Weakness = event may only occur rarely, many natural events are ‘one-offs’ and this reduces the opportunity for research = hard to generalise findings
Weakness = partisans aren’t randomly allocated, the experimenter has no control over which participants are placed in which condition, CVs aren’t being controlled

Question 11

Strengths and weaknesses of quasi experiments

Answer 11

Strengths = high control, normally carried out in controlled conditions so less EVs are being introduced = replication possible
Strengths = comparisons can be made, in a quasi experiment, the IV is the difference between people =

Weakness = participant aren’t randomly allocated, the experimenter has no control over the participants in each group, could cause a change in the DV
Weakness = casual relationships aren’t showed, the researcher doesn’t manipulate the IV and doesn’t have control over them, therefore there’s no way to find if the change in the IV was what changed the DV