2.3.2 Experiments

Question 1

What are lab experiments?

Answer 1

• The scientist manipulates/alters the variables they are interested in to discover what effect they have.
• They help establish a cause & effect relationship allowing them to make accurate predictions of what will happen under specific conditions.
• Experimental groups are the one which the changing variable is added to.

Question 2

How are lab experiments reliable?

Answer 2

• Once it has been conducted it can be replicated.
• It produces the same results each time.
• Its a very detached method.
• Positivists favour this method due to the objectivity & scientific nature.

Question 3

How are lab experiments impractical?

Answer 3

• Society is extremely complex so its impossible to identity & control all variables which may impact behaviour.

Question 4

Why are lab experiments theoretically hardly used?

Answer 4

• Theyre small scale so unrepresetative.
• Theyre done in artificial environments so they produce artificial results.
• Peoples behaviour is not true to life & valid in artificial environments.
• The hawthorne effect.

Question 5

What are advantages of lab experiments?

Answer 5

• Considered reliable.
• Detatched.
• Objective.
• Positivists favour this.
• Comparable.

Question 5

What are disadvantages of lab experiments?

Answer 5

• Not all variables can be managed.
• Small scale means they’re not representive.
• Artificial environment means artificial results.
• Hawthorne effect.

Question 6

What are field experiments?

Answer 6

• Take place in the natural environment to make research more valid & realistic .
• Those involved are generally not aware to avoid the hawthorne effect.
• However, many argue it is unethical.

Question 7

What is the comparative method?

Answer 7

• Carried out only in the mind of the sociologist, its a thought experiment.
• Experiment does not occur on real people at all.
• Designed to discover cause & effect relationships.
• 2 groups are identified that are similar in all but 1 way which is the variables we are interested in.
• The 2 groups are compared to see if the one difference has any effect.

Question 8

When have lab experiments been used in research in education?

Answer 8

• Harvey & Slatin (1976) investigated teacher expectations.
• Examined teachers preconceived ideas about pupil from different social classes.
• They found that WC children were rated less favourably.
• Illustrated teachers use social class to label & prejudge pupil.

Question 9

What are concerns of lab experiments in education research?

Answer 9

• Ethical concerns of working with young pupil.
• They often have a too narrow focus.
• They’re impractical as all variables cant be identified.
• They’re artificial.

Question 10

When have field experiments been used in research for education?

Answer 10

• Rosenthal & Jacobson (1968) carried out research in a primary school in California.
• Designed to test labelling & the self fulfilling prophecy.

Question 11

What are issues of using field experiments in education?

Answer 11

• Ethical issues as pupils can be impacted.
• Reliability is low due to inability to replicate.
• They can have a broader focus which can be viewed as positive.

Question 12

What are PERVERT strengths of using field experiments?

Answer 12

• P: natural environment.
• E: minimal disruption.
• R: diverse participants.
• V: things are authentic.
• E: multiple point can be examined.
• R: pupil are likely to be chosen at random.
• T: micro level.

Question 13

What are PERVERT weaknesses of using field experiments?

Answer 13

• P: impossible to identity all variables.
• E: deception as participants are usually unaware.
• R: cannot be replicated.
• V: teachers may change behaviour.
• E: pupil may be impacted.
• R: random selection may be they aren’t representive.
• T: power difference of pupil & researcher.