Methods: Experiments

Question 1

What is the logic of the experimental method?

Answer 1

That the scientist manipulates or alters the variables which they are interested in, in order to discover what effect they will have. By following this method the scientist can establish a cause-and-effect relationship. In turn this will allow them to predict accurately what will happen in the future under specified conditions.

Question 2

Experimental group

Answer 2

The group where variables are changed and the effects of this are measured.

Question 3

Control group

Answer 3

The group where variables are kept constant. This is to allow for comparison with the experimental group.

Question 4

Independent Variable

Answer 4

The causal factor. The variable which is changed and measured.

Question 5

Dependent Variable

Answer 5

The item that responds to the change of the

independent variable.

Question 6

Hawthorne Effect

Answer 6

The idea that if people know they are being studied, this knowledge is likely to impact on their behaviour, and alter it.

Question 7

Lab Experiments:

Advantages - Reliability

Answer 7

Once a lab experiment has been conducted other researchers can replicate it following the exactly same steps, therefore this method is considered completely reliable, producing the same results each time.

Question 8

Lab Experiments:

Advantages - Detatchment

Answer 8

It is a very detached method because the researcher merely manipulates the variables and records the results. The scientists personal feelings and opinions have no effect on the conduct of the outcome of the experiment.

Question 9

Lab Experiments:

Advantages - Theoretical

Answer 9

Positivists, who see sociology as a science, like this method. Seeing it as being an objective way to conduct research modelled on scientific methodology.

Question 10

Lab Experiments:

Disadvantages - Practical

Answer 10

Society is very complex, and it would be impossible to identify, let alone control all the variables that might impact on behaviour.

Question 11

Lab Experiments:

Disadvantages - Representativeness

Answer 11

The small-scale nature of lab experiments reduces their representativeness as they can only ever be based on a very small sample size.

Question 12

Lab Experiments:

Disadvantages -Validity

Answer 12

Man

Question 13

Lab Experiments:

Disadvantages -Validity

Answer 13

Laboratories are artificial environments producing artificial results. It is unlikely that behaviour in these conditions is true to life and valid. It lacks ecological validity.

Question 14

Lab Experiments:

Advantages - Validity

Answer 14

It is a controlled environment where extraneous variables are eliminated.

Question 15

What are field experiments?

Answer 15

Experiments which take place in the subject’s natural surroundings, such as a school, rather than an artificial environment to make the research more valid and realistic. Additionally, those taking part are generally not aware they are involved in an experiment.

Question 16

Why are participants in field experiments generally not aware they are taking part in an experiment?

Answer 16

To avoid the Hawthorne Effect.

Question 17

Field Experiments:

Advantages - Hawthorne Effect

Answer 17

Avoid the Hawthorne Effect because those involved are generally unaware.

Question 18

Field Experiments:

Advantages - Hawthorne Effect

Answer 18

Avoids the Hawthorne Effect because those involved are generally unaware.

Question 19

Field Experiments:

Advantages - Validity

Answer 19

Experiment takes place in a natural rather than artificial environment making the research more valid and realistic and the participants more at ease.

Question 20

Field Experiments:

Disadvantages - Ethical

Answer 20

Those involved are generally unaware they are taking part in an experiment, meaning the research involved manipulation, and a breach of privacy. Many critics argue this makes field experiments unethical.

Question 21

Field Experiments:

Disadvantages - Control

Answer 21

Because they are more realistic there is less scope for control over the variables they might be operating.

Question 22

Field Experiments:

Disadvantages - Control

Answer 22

Because they are more realistic there is less scope for control over the variables they might be investigating.

Question 23

What is the Comparative Method?

Answer 23

A ‘thought experiment’ carried out only in the mind of the researcher that does not involve experimenting on real people at all. However, like lab and field experiments, it is also designed to discover cause and effect relationships.

Question 24

Comparative Method Steps:

Answer 24

a) Identify two groups of people that are alike in all major respects except for one variable which were interested in.
b) Then compare the two groups to see if this one difference between them has any effect.

Question 25

Comparative Method:

Advantages

Answer 25

• Doesn’t involve a research population so ethical
• Avoids artificiality
• Can be used to study past events

Question 26

Comparative Method:

Disadvantages

Answer 26

Gives the researcher less control over variables that field experiments do. So, we can be less certain whether this method has really discovered the cause of something.

Question 27

Why is it important to have a control group in an experiment?

Answer 27

Provides a benchmark to measure the cause and effect. To make sure it is definitely the independent variable you have studied in your research that is having an effect and not some other factor.

Question 28

Provide two reasons why lab experiments may produce reliable data?

Answer 28

Objective - unbiased and detached from researchers personal feelings.
Repeatable - Other researchers can replicate following exactly the same steps and get the same results.

Question 29

Why would interpretivists reject the experimental method?

Answer 29

They reject the idea that sociology is a science. They also prefer rich textual data because they believe it is more insightful. They believe lab experiments take place in an artificial unnatural environment which undermines validity.

Question 30

Identify one advantage and one disadvantage of the comparative method:

Answer 30

• Ethical because it doesn’t involve a sampling unit.

- However it is unfalsifiable because it just takes place in the researchers mind.