Experiments - RM

Question 1

Lab experiment

Answer 1

• in a controlled environment where EVs and CVs can be regulated
• participants go to the researcher
• the IV is manipulated and the effect on the DV is recorded

Question 2

Strengths of lab experiment

Answer 2

• High internal validity - the effect of EVs and CVs are minimised and the cause and effect of the DV can be demonstrated
• Replication - can easily be replicated as its in a controlled environment which means no new EVs and CVs will be introduced and the findings can be confirmed which supports the validity.

Question 3

Weaknesses of lab experiment

Answer 3

• Lacks ecological validity - due to the artificial environment, participants may be aware that they are being studied so their behaviour may not be natural which cannot be generalised to everyday life.
• Demand characteristics - DCs may appear in the situation and participants may respond in a certain way, the findings may be due to the DC rather than the effect to the IV.

Question 4

Field Experiment

Answer 4

-natural setting
- researcher goes to participants
- IV is manipulated and the DV is recorded

Question 5

Strengths of field experiment

Answer 5

• High ecological validity - as it is a natural setting participants are more comfortable so their behaviour is more authentic and can be generalised to everyday life.

Question 6

Weaknesses of field experiment

Answer 6

• Harder to control EVs and CVs due to environment, the changes of the DV may be because of the EVs/CVs instead of the IV, this makes it harder to establish a cause and effect.
• Ethical Issues - participants may not have given informed consent to the study which is an invasion of their privacy.

Question 7

Natural Experiment

Answer 7

• experimenter does not change IV, someone or something else does.
• IV would have changed regardless if the experimenter was not interested