research methods

Question 1

describe a lab experiment

Answer 1

• artificial setting
• high manipulation of variables so reduced risk of extraneous variables
• experimental group and control group
• standardized procedure

Question 2

what is a strength of lab experiments in terms of reliablity?

Answer 2

• they use standardized procedures with high controls of extraneous variables making it easy to replicate these experiments and test for consistency

Question 3

what is a weakness for lab experiments in terms of validity?

Answer 3

• they lack ecological validity as they take place in controlled, artificial environments which are unnatural for the participants and so they may not reflect real life behaviors.
• there is a risk for demand characteristics as they are aware they are participating in a study and may guess the aim

Question 4

describe a field experiment

Answer 4

• natural setting
• some extraneous variables can be controlled for
• can still have standardized procedures

Question 5

what is a weakness for field experiments in terms of generalizability?

Answer 5

• they have low generalizability as they use opportunity samples which is where they use participants who are available at the time, which will have similar traits meaning their findings are not representative of a wider population

Question 6

what is a strength of field experiments in terms of reliablity

Answer 6

• they have high reliability as standardized procedures are used therefore making them easier to replicate, however they lack internal validity as they are in a natural setting and there could be lower controls over extraneous variables, therefore findings may be down to a third variable, reducing the accuracy

Question 7

what is a strength of field experiments in terms of validity?

Answer 7

• field experiments have high ecological validity as the setting is natural for the participants and so they are more likely to behave naturally, reducing demand characteristics

Question 8

what is a weakness of field experiments in terms of ethics?

Answer 8

• as the setting is natural, participants may not know they are part of a study so deception may be involved, therefore there is no informed consent and right to withdraw is compromised

Question 9

describe a natural experiment

Answer 9

• natural setting
• variables are not manipulated
• limited standardized procedures