What is an experiment & what are they used to identify?
+ what is a confounding variable?
classic research method of the natural sciences including psychology:
- hypotheses are empirically tested (researcher manipulates independent variable to observe dependent variable under controlled conditions
- measurements observed & recorded to analyse the effect of changing variables statistically
- researcher aims to identify cause & effect
+ variable which might affect the dependent variable, other than the independent variable
What is the experimental group?
+ what is the control group?
- what are the 3 types of experiment?
those who experience the manipulated variable
+ group who is matched to the experimental group as much as possible but don’t experience the manipulated variable
- Lab, Field & Thought
1) Why are laboratory experiments highly reliable?
2) Why do positivists prefer lab experiments?
3) Why are lab experiments unrepresentative?
1) - researcher can specify exact steps used
- very controlled environment
- no personal feelings or opinions involved
2) They look to identify cause & effect relationships so trends & generalisations can be made
3) They involve lots of time, money & effort so the sample size is usually very small
What are some practical issues with lab experiments?
+ What are some ethical issues with lab experiments? (example of a study to support this?)
- impossible to identify & control all possible variables
- cannot be used to study the past
- usually only study small samples
- expensive & time-consuming
- requires specific skills of researcher
- financial incentives may have to be used
+ lack of informed consent (e.g children)
+ deception
+ harm to participants
(Milgram’s study led to many participants feeling distressed e.g seizures or trembling)
Why are lab experiments often considered invalid?
+ why do Interpretivists dislike them?
- labs are artificial settings so participants may not act true to reality
- subjects may respond to the fact they are being observed rather than the variables (Hawthorne Effect)
+ human have free will & choice so our behaviour cannot be explained by cause & effect
+ they prefer meanings & motives
What is a field experiment?
(examples of field experiment studies)
+ what are some advantages & disadvantages of this type of experiment?
researcher manipulates one or more variables in the subject’s natural surroundings rather than an artificial lab. Those involved aren’t usually aware they are subjects of an experiment.
(Rosenthal & Jacobson and Rosenhan)
+ more natural and realistic so more valid (no Hawthorne Effect)
- less control over variables
- unethical due to lack of knowledge or consent
What are thought/natural experiments?
(example of thought experiment study)
+ what are some advantages & disadvantages of this type of experiment?
- carried out only in the mind of the researcher & doesn’t involve actual experimentation on people
- used to identify cause & effect
- identify two groups who are alike except for one variable & compare them
(Durkheim’s Le Suicide)
+ avoids artificiality so valid
+ can be used to study the past
+ no ethical issues
- open to bias
- even less control over variables
