experimental methods

Question 1

what are the 4 experimental methods?

Answer 1

1. laboratory experiment
2. field experiment
3. natural experiment
4. quasi experiment

Question 2

what are the key features of an experimental method?

Answer 2

• independent variable is changed
• dependant variable is measured
• extraneous variables are controlled

Question 3

what are 4 variables you should be aware of and what are they?

Answer 3

1. independent variable = what the researcher changes
2. dependent variable = what the researcher measures
3. extraneous variable = any other variables that might affect the DV other than the IV
4. confounding variable = variables that can not be controlled that affect the DV

Question 4

advantages and disadvantages of the experimental methods?

Answer 4

advantage : - easy to replicate
- relationships can be inferred
disadvantage : - artificial
- demand characteristics

Question 5

what is operationalisation?

Answer 5

making something ‘testable’

Question 6

what are laboratory experiments and some +ve and -ve?

Answer 6

= take place in a controlled environment
(+) replicable, controlled
(-) low external validity, demand characteristics

Question 7

what is a field experiment and some +ve and -ve?

Answer 7

= done in the pps natural environment
(+) high external validity, less demand characteristics
(-) less control, ethics(consent)

Question 8

what are natural experiments and some +ve and -ve?

Answer 8

= when the researcher has no control over the IV
(+) high external validity, IV is unethical to manipulate(natural disaster)
(-) difficult to replicate, low control

Question 9

what is a quasi experiment and some +ve and -ve?

Answer 9

= IV is based on an existing difference (age, gender)
(+) control, replicable
(-) random allocation isn’t possible, sample size if rare