Lab, Feild, Natural, Experiments Flashcards
Lab Experiment strengths
Ev controlled
Researcher can be sure that IV causes DV (cause and effect can be established)
Uses of standardised procedure to confirm the validly of result- replication is possible- possible to confirm the validity of the results
Lab experiments weaknesses
Environment is not like everyday life- Ps have artificial behaviour and can’t generalise results to wider world.
Ps know they are being tested - may change behaviour to help the experimenter- data collected not valid
(Demand characteristic)
Field experiment strengths
More realistic then lab (cus conducted in natural environment)- enhances validity of the results
Some control over ev -possible to use standardised procedure - cause and effect conclusions are more valid
Field experiments weakness
May lose control of some EVs (real life setting more difficult to control variables e,g weather or others actions) more difficult to show cause and effect
May be ethical issues- people don’t know they are in an experiment - they cannot give their informed consent
Natural experiment strength
Usually high validity- variables are naturally occurring and relate to everyday life
Allow you to test things that would usually never be able to happen because of ethical reasons
Natural experiment weaknesses
Few opportunities for this kind of research. Focuses on natural events that occur infrequently- reduces usefulness of method can’t check for validity
Great amount of EVs that could be affecting the results e.g unique characteristics of Ps