Experimental Methods

Question 1

Define experimental method

Answer 1

How the conditions in the study are controlled

Question 2

What are the four types of experimental method?

Answer 2

• Laboratory
• Field
• Natural
• Quasi

Question 3

Define confounding variables

Answer 3

Any variable that WILL impact the results of the study (other than the IV)

Question 4

Define the Laboratory” experimental method

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Define the “Field” experimental method

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Define the “Natural” experimental method

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Define the “Quasi” experimental method

Answer 7

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)

Question 8

Define internal validity

Answer 8

The extent to which the research
has measured what it wants to

Question 9

Define external validity

Answer 9

The extent to which the findings
can be applied to real-world situations outside of the research setting

Question 10

Define mundane realism

Answer 10

How well the tasks/materials used represent everyday
experiences

Question 11

Define replicable

Answer 11

To what extent the experiment can be replicated accurately

Question 12

Define generalisable

Answer 12

The extent to which the findings of an experiment can be applied to the general population being studied

Question 13

Evaluate the “Laboratory” experimental design

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Evaluate the “Field” experimental design

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Evaluate the “Natural” experimental design

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Evaluate the “Quasi” experimental design

Answer 16

Pros:
- Often carried out in a controlled environment
- The research is likely to be easy to replicate
- Would have moderate internal
validity

Cons:
- Participant variables could have an effect on the DV
- We can’t claim causation because we didn’t deliberately change the IV