What is an experiment?
A research method which is a way of collecting data
What are the different types of experimental methods?
Laboratory, field, and quasi/ natural
What is the definition of a laboratory experiment?
When the researcher has directly manipulated the IV and done so in an artificial setting.
What are strengths of a laboratory experiment?
- causality (cause and effect) can be established
- standardisation means that it is easily replicated meaning that reliability is more probable
What are weaknesses of a laboratory experiment?
- results lack ecological validity
- participants are more likely to show demand characteristics
- deception issues
What is the definition of a field experiment?
When the researcher directly manipulates the IV but does so in the participants natural environment
What are strengths of a field experiment?
- results are more likely to be ecologically valid
- reduced chance of demand characteristics
What are weaknesses of a field experiment?
- replication is more difficult which makes results less reliable
- consent issues
- if in a crowded area there can be data obstructions
What is the definition of a quasi/ natural experiment?
When the IV is naturally occurring - however the research can take place in both a natural or artificial setting
What are the strengths of a quasi/ natural experiment?
- most ecologically valid (due to natural change)
- less influence of researcher bias
- less chance of demand characteristics
- can be used if an investigation is deemed to unethical for an experiment
What are the weaknesses of a quasi/ natural experiment?
- results may be socially sensitive
- invasive for participants (as IV is usually personal such as mental illness)
- difficult to infer causality
- impossible to replicate exactly (due to different severities of IV)
