Experimental Methods

Question 1

what are lab experiments?

Answer 1

conducted in controlled settings using strict scientific methods, IV manipulated, DV measured

Question 2

what are field experiments?

Answer 2

conducted in natural setting, IV manipulated, DV measured

Question 3

what are natural experiments?

Answer 3

conducted in natural settings, IV isn’t manipulated and naturally occurring e.g earthquake, DV measured

Question 4

what are quasi experiments?

Answer 4

type of natural experiment where iv is a pre-existing difference between people e.g age, can be lab or field

Question 5

what are the strengths of lab experiments?

Answer 5

• high control of EV
• higher internal validity measuring cause and effect
• higher reliability-consistent results due to standardised procedures

Question 6

what are the limitations of lab experiments?

Answer 6

• low external validity, lacks eco validity
• low mundane realism: artificial setting and task
• higher risk of demand characteristics

Question 7

what are the strengths of field experiments?

Answer 7

• high eco validity
• lower risk of demand characteristics

Question 8

what are the strengths of natural experiments?

Answer 8

• insight to human behaviour in rare situations that would be unethical to recreate an test
• provides valuable info on human behaviour
• high eco validty

Question 8

what are the limitations of natural experiments?

Answer 8

• no control of EV and IV as it’s not manipulated lower internal validity
• limited generalisability due to uniqueness

Question 9

what are the limitations of field experiments?

Answer 9

• many EV difficult to control so lowers validity and reliability that iv is driving factor
• ethical issues: lack of consent, ppts are unaware

Question 10

what are the strengths of quasi experiments?

Answer 10

• can make comparisons between groups of people
• strengths of either lab or natural experiments

Question 11

what are the limitations of quasi experiments?

Answer 11

• might have bias as you can’t use random allocation
• more likely to have EV effect results as iv is the ppts
• unique to particular ppts-limited generalisibility
• limitations of lab or field