Types of experiments Flashcards
1
Q
Laboratory experiment
A
- Conducted in highly controlled environments
- Measured in an artificial setting
2
Q
Laboratory experiment
Strengths
A
- High control over extraneous variables
- High internal validity: can be more certain about demonstrating cause and effect
- Replication is more possible
3
Q
Laboratory experiment
Limitations
A
- May lack generalisability: cannot be generalised beyond research setting
- Low external validity (pps may not act in a usual way)
- Pps may try to act in favour of demand characteristics
4
Q
Field experiment
A
- IV is manipulated in a natural, everyday setting in the ‘field’
- Measured irl
5
Q
Field experiment
Strengths
A
- Higher mundane realism (more natural environment)
- Participants may be unaware that they are being studied; may produce more authentic and valid results
6
Q
Field experiment
Limitations
A
- Loss of control of extraneous variables
- Cause and effect may be difficult to establish
- Precise replication may be impossible
- Ethical issues with informed consent
7
Q
Natural experiment
A
- When the researcher takes advantage of a pre-existing IV
- Variable wouldn’t have changed even if the experimenter wasn’t there
- Can be tested in a lab/in the real world
8
Q
Natural experiment
Strengths
A
- Provide opportunities for research that otherwise may not be done bc of practical or ethical reasons
- High external validity; involve the study of irl issues+problems as they occur
9
Q
Natural experiment
Limitations
A
- Reduced opportunities for research: naturally occurring events like so may occur very rarely
- Pps may not be randomly allocated to experimental conditions (only applies when there is an ind groups design): researcher may be less sure of whether the IV affected the DV
10
Q
Quasi-experiment
A
- IV is based on an existing difference between people
- Real world or artificial setting
11
Q
Quasi-experiment
Strengths
A
- Often carried our under controlled conditions
- Same as lab
12
Q
Quasi-experiment
Limitations
A
- Like natural: cannot randomly allocate Pps to conditions and therefore there may be confounding variables
