Experimental Methods Flashcards
Define experimental method
How the conditions in the study are controlled
What are the four types of experimental method?
- Laboratory
- Field
- Natural
- Quasi
Define confounding variables
Any variable that WILL impact the results of the study (other than the IV)
Define the Laboratory” experimental method
An experiment carried out in:
- A controlled environment where the IV, conditions and extraneous variables can be controlled and changed
- Participants can be randomly allocated to conditions
Define the “Field” experimental method
An experiment carried out in:
- A natural environment where the IV and conditions can be controlled and changed
- Participants can be randomly allocated to conditions
Extraneous variables can’t be controlled
Define the “Natural” experimental method
An experiment carried out in:
- A controlled or natural environment
- The experimenter makes use of a naturally occurring difference in the IV
- Participants cannot be randomly allocated to conditions
- Extraneous variables and conditions can’t be controlled
Define the “Quasi” experimental method
Not strictly speaking an experiment:
- A study where the IV has not been determined by anyone - the variables simply exist (e.g. being young or old)
Define internal validity
The extent to which the research
has measured what it wants to
Define external validity
The extent to which the findings
can be applied to real-world situations outside of the research setting
Define mundane realism
How well the tasks/materials used represent everyday
experiences
Define replicable
To what extent the experiment can be replicated accurately
Define generalisable
The extent to which the findings of an experiment can be applied to the general population being studied
Evaluate the “Laboratory” experimental design
Pros:
- There is high control over confounding/extraneous variables
- The study has high internal
validity
- The study is easily replicable
Cons:
- Not generalisable (controlled
setting does not represent
everyday life)
- The study will have low
external validity (Materials/tasks
used aren’t usually ones used
in everyday life)
- Lacks mundane realism
Evaluate the “Field” experimental design
Pros:
- There is moderate
external validity
- Participants are likely to show less demand characteristics
Cons:
- Less control over confounding/
extraneous variables
- Less internal validity
- Hard to replicate due
to reduced standardised
procedures and control
- Ethics - If participants
are unaware they’re
being studied
Evaluate the “Natural” experimental design
Pros:
- Provides opportunity for research that wouldn’t otherwise be done
- High external validity (because the IV is naturally occurring)
Cons:
- Participant variables could have an effect on the DV (because participants can’t be randomly assigned to a
condition)
- We can’t claim causation because we didn’t deliberately change the IV