Experiments

Question 1

Experiment

Answer 1

look for a causal relationship in which an independent variable is manipulated to cause a change in the dependent variable

Question 2

Experiment types

Answer 2

Laboratory experiment, Field experiment, Natural experiment, Quasi-experiment

Question 3

Laboratory experiment

Answer 3

the experiment is conducted in an unnatural and controlled environment. The IV is manipulated

Question 4

Field experiment

Answer 4

the experiment takes place in natural settings, and the IV is manipulated

Question 5

Natural experiment

Answer 5

the experiment takes place in natural settings and the IV is not directly manipulated by the researcher. It happens naturally by chance

Question 6

Quasi-experiment

Answer 6

the researcher has lots of control over the procedure, but not over the allocation of participants

Question 7

3 lab experiment strengths

Answer 7

• control extraneous variables
• causal relationship can be determined
• standardised procedure increases reliability & replicability

Question 8

2 field experiment strengths

Answer 8

• high ecological validity as they are showing their natural behaviour
• less likely to show demand characteristics and social desirability bias

Question 9

3 natural experiment strengths

Answer 9

• high ecological validity
• less likely to show demand characteristics and social desirability bias
• researchers can study variables that would usually be unethical or unpractical to study

Question 10

2 lab experiment weaknesses

Answer 10

• lack ecological validity

- participants could show demand characteristics and social desirability bias

Question 11

3 field experiment weaknesses

Answer 11

• low controls over extraneous variables reduce reliability & replicability
• can’t be sure that the DV is due to the IV or other factors
• participations are unaware of their participation: ethical issue

Question 12

4 natural experiment weaknesses

Answer 12

• only possible when IV naturally occurring
• controlling extraneous variables can be difficult
• causal relationship are difficult to determined
• hard to replicate as levels of standardisation is difficult to achieve. low reliability too

Question 13

Experimental Design

Answer 13

how participants are allocated to the conditions of the study

Question 14

Experimental Design types

Answer 14

Independent measures design, Repeated measures design & Matched Pairs Design

Question 15

Independent measures design

Answer 15

different groups of participants are used for each level of the IV

Question 16

Repeated measures design

Answer 16

each participant takes part in every condition of the study

Question 17

Matched Pairs Design

Answer 17

participants are matched in pairs according to a characteristic they have, that is similar

Question 18

3 strengths of independent measures

Answer 18

• no order effects incurred
• reduce the chance of demand characteristics & social desirability bias
• random allocation of participants

Question 19

3 strengths of repeated measures

Answer 19

• no participant variable so not affect the the results
• counterbalancing reduces order effect
• fewer participants are used

Question 20

3 strengths of matched pairs design

Answer 20

• reduces the chance of demand characteristics and social desirability bias
• participant variables are less likely to affect the results
• no order effect

Question 21

2 weaknesses of independent measures

Answer 21

• individual differences (participant variables) can distort results
• more participants are required

Question 22

2 weaknesses of repeated measures

Answer 22

• order effects are incurred

- they may show demand characteristics and social desirability bias

Question 23

1 weaknesses of matched pairs design

Answer 23

• sample bias in the matching process leads to distorted results.