What is a laboratory experiment?
an experiment where the independent variable is manipulated in a controlled, artificial environment.
What is a strength of a laboratory experiment?
enable researchers to have high control over extraneous variables = gives the study high internal validity, and external reliability.
What is a limitation of a laboratory experiment?
because it is done in an artificial environment, the behaviour of the participants may not generalise to how they would behave in everyday life - the study may lack ecological validity.
What is a field experiment?
an experiment where the independent variable is manipulated within a natural, everyday life setting.
What is a weakness of a field experiment (3 steps)?
harder to establish a cause and effect relationship - less control over extraneous variables - lower internal validity.
What is a strength of a field experiment?
they have higher ecological validity because they are conducted in a natural, everyday life setting.
What is a quasi experiment?
the independent variable cannot be directly manipulated, because the independent variable is a personal characteristic of the participants.
What is a limitation of a quasi experiment?
participants cannot be randomly allocated to groups, meaning that participant variables are not controlled. This means the study may lack internal validity.
What is a strength of a quasi experiment?
enables researchers to study independent variables that would be impractical or unethical to investigate in laboratory or field experiments.
What is a natural experiment?
the independent variable cannot be manipulated by the researcher, because the independent variable is an event that has already happened.
What is a strength of a natural experiment (same as quasi)?
allows researchers to study an independent variable that would be unethical, or impractical, to investigate in a laboratory or field experiment.
What is a limitation of a natural experiment?
the researchers have little control over extraneous variables - low internal validity
What is meant by an independent groups design?
researcher allocates different participants to different experimental groups - without matching participants across groups.
What is meant by a matched pairs design?
researcher matches participants in the control and experimental group for a particular participant variable.
What are two limitations of an independent groups design, compared to a repeated measures design?
- more participants needed
- results are more likely to be affected by participant variables
What are two limitations of a matched pairs design?
- can’t control for every possible participant variable.
- time-consuming to find matched pairs.
What is meant by a repeated measures design?
the same participants take part in all experimental conditions.
What is meant by counterbalancing?
in a repeated measures design, different participants are made to take part in the experimental conditions in different orders.
What is meant by order effects?
the order of the experimental conditions influences the results of a study.
What are two strengths of using a repeated measures design, compared to the other experimental designs?
- less likely to be influenced by participant variables, since the same participants take part in both experimental conditions.
- researcher needs fewer participants than in an independent groups or matched pairs design.
What are two limitations of using a repeated measures design?
- results can be influenced by order effects
- response to demand characteristics after repeating the same task twice.
How are participant variables controlled in an independent groups design?
by using random allocation of participants to experimental groups.
What is one way to deal with order effects in a repeated measures design?
order effects can be dealt with by using counterbalancing, when allocating participants to experimental groups.
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Research methods51
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Experiments23
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Approaches in Psychology21
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Origins of Psychology4
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Biological Approach23
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Behaviourist Approach17
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Social Learning Theory9
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Cognitive Approach9
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Psychodynamic Approach:16
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Humanistic Approach12
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Comparison of Approaches5
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clinical psychology65
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Phobias11
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Memory24
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Memory30
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Attachment5
