Exsperimantal Methods - Research Methods

Question 1

What is a laboratory experiment

Answer 1

Researcher manipulates IV in a highly controlled artificial environment to measure the effect on the DV.
participants aware they are taking part in the study

Question 2

Strengths and limitations of lab experiments (2p 2n)

Answer 2

+ high degree of control over extraneous variables - high internal validity
+ replication is more possible than pother exsperimental methods due to Hugh levels of control - makes the results valid to repeat again.
- behaviour may change due to the fact they know they are in an experiment - demand characteristics becoming present.
- lack external validity - the artificial nature and setting can lead to unusual behaviour.

Question 3

What is a natural experiment

Answer 3

Where the IV occurs naturally (flood or earthquake) in a natural setting with no random allocation .

Question 4

Strengths and limitations of a natural experiment (2 of each)

Answer 4

✅high external validity, high ecological validity
✅unique insights gained in real life situations
❌no control over the environment, difficult to be accurate
❌doesn’t occur often, can’t be generalised

Question 5

What is a field experiment

Answer 5

Where the researcher manipulates the IV in a naturally occurring setting and measures the effect on the DV.

Question 6

Strengths and limitations of the field exsperiment (2)

Answer 6

✅natural setting, high ecological validity, representative
✅demand characteristics less likely to effect results, may not know they are being studied
❌natural, less control over extraneous variables, not reliable results
❌ethically issues, participants often unaware they are taking part in a study, branch privacy rights

Question 7

What is a quasi experiment

Answer 7

Where a naturally occurring IV (gender or age) is being tested in a lab or a natural setting.

Question 8

Strengths and limitations of quasi exsperiment (2)

Answer 8

✅realistic, high ecological validly, naturally occurring
✅compare different types of people and test similarity’s and differences
❌can’t be randomly allocated, naturally occurring IV, other factors can effect result s e.g environment
❌natural condition, no control over extraneous variables, lab lacks ecological validly