Experiment types

Question 1

What are the four types of experiments

Answer 1

Lab, field, natural, quasi

Question 2

Define ‘laboratory’ experiment

Answer 2

An experiment conducted in a highly controlled environment. Experimenter manipulates the IV.

Question 3

Give 2 advantages of lab experiments

Answer 3

1. high internal validity
2. replication is easy

Question 4

Give 2 disadvantages of a lab experiment

Answer 4

1. low external validity
2. high chance of demand characteristics

Question 5

Define ‘field’ experiments

Answer 5

IV manipulated in a natural setting

Question 6

Give an advantage of a field experiment

Answer 6

High external validity

Question 7

Give 2 disadvantages of field experiments

Answer 7

1. lower internal validity
2. can be ethical issues

Question 8

Define ‘natural’ experiments

Answer 8

Change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher, but would have varied naturally, without the researcher

Question 9

Give 2 advantages of natural experiments

Answer 9

1. allow research that may not be possible for ethical reasons
2. high external validity

Question 10

Give 2 disadvantages of a natural experiment

Answer 10

1. cannot demonstrate causal relationships because IV not directly manipulated
2. participants not randomly allocated to groups

Question 11

Define ‘quasi’ experiments

Answer 11

Where the IV is not something that varies, but is a condition that exists

Question 12

Give 2 advantages of a quasi experiment

Answer 12

1. high internal validity
2. replication is easy

Question 13

Give a disadvantage of quasi experiments

Answer 13

Cannot randomly allocate participants so may be confounding variables