Lab, Feild, Natural, Experiments

Question 1

Lab Experiment strengths

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Lab experiments weaknesses

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

Field experiment strengths

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Field experiments weakness

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Natural experiment strength

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Natural experiment weaknesses

Answer 6

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