Experimental Research Methods

Question 1

Lavatory experiment def

Answer 1

• Occur in a controlled environment- allows extraneous variables to be controlled
• Experimenter manipulates IV to measure change in DV

Question 2

Adv of Lab experiments

Answer 2

• Highly controlled environment - fewer confounding variables - increase validity
• Replication - researchers can replicate and compare results- improves reliability

Question 3

Disadvantages of lab experiments

Answer 3

• Lacks Ecological validity
• Has demand characteristics
• Experimenter bias

Question 4

Field experiments def

Answer 4

• Experiments in the real world

* The IV is still manipulated by experimenters

Question 5

Adv of field experiments

Answer 5

• High ecological validity

* Unlikely to have demand characteristics

Question 6

Disadvantages of field experiments

Answer 6

• Less control of extraneous variables
• Impossible to replicate
• Could be sample bias - problem with validity
• Time costuming/ expensive

Question 7

Natural experiment def

Answer 7

• Same and field experiments but IV will occur naturally and can’t be manipulated
• Records the effects on DV without manipulating IV

Question 8

Adv of Natural experiments

Answer 8

• Used when unacceptable to the change IV

* Enables psychologists to study ‘real’ issues (natural disasters)

Question 9

Natural experiments disadvantages

Answer 9

• Can only be used when conditions vary naturally

* Could ah e demand characteristics

Question 10

Quasi experiments def

Answer 10

• IV occurs naturally and DV can be measured in lab

* IV hasn’t been made to vary, it is a simple difference between people (gender)

Question 11

Quasi experiment adv

Answer 11

• Allows comparisons between people

Question 12

Quasi experiment disadvantages

Answer 12

• Can only be be used when conditions vary naturally

* demand characteristics can occur