types of experiment Flashcards
what is the experimental method
where the researcher manipulates one variable to discover its effect on another variable, while the other variables are held constant
what are laboratory experiments
take place under controlled conditions, under the researchers supervision
strength of lab experiment
-high control over extraneous variables so high internal validity
-replicable to check validity
limitation of lab experiments
-reduces level of ecological validity of research
-Ps may behave unrealistically - demand characteristics
- low mundane realism
what are field experiments
take place in natural settings within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV
strength of field experiments
-high ecological validity
-higher mundane realism-high external validity
limitations of field experiments
-reduces level of control so less replicable
-if participants dont know they are being studied they cant give consent so unethical
whats a natural experiment
where a change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would have happened even if the researcher hadnt been there.
strengths of natural experiments
- allows research to take place that otherwise wouldnt be ethical
-high external validity
limitations of natural experiments
-hard to generalise as a aturally occurring event is rare sometimes
-Ps may not be randomly allocated to experimental conditions meaning the researcher may be less sure the IV affects the DV
whats a quasi experiment
the IV is based on an existing difference between people. no one manipulates the IV it just exists
strengths of quasi experiments
-controlled conditions
limitations of quasi experiments
-cannot randomly allocate participants to experimental conditions so may be exposed to confounding variables
what experimental methods are true experiments
lab and field
what is a true experiment
they control variables under investigation and randomly allocate participants to groups
