Research Methods - Experimental Methods & Designs Flashcards
Laboratory experiment
Controlled environment, IV manipulated with strong control of EVs & effect on DV recorded
Field experiment
Natural setting, IV manipulated with no control of EVs & effect on DV recorded
Natural experiment
Natural setting, IV changes on its own after being decided by researcher & effect on DV recorded
Quasi-experiment
Lacks key ingredients, variables exist without being determined (environment can be controlled & DV recorded)
Experimental design
Different ways participants are organised in relation to experimental conditions
Independent groups design
Allocation to different groups, each representing a different condition (can only take part in one condition)
Repeated measures design
Participants take part in all conditions
Matched pairs design
Participants are matched by a characteristic that may affect the DV & each assigned to a condition
Random allocation
Controlling participant variables present in independent groups design which allows for equal chance to be in either condition
Counterbalancing
Controlling order effects present in repeated measures design by half experiencing the conditions in one order & the other half the opposite
Single-blind procedure
Participant unaware of what group they have been assigned to
Double-blind procedure
Neither participant nor researcher is aware of which group the participant is in (outsider will be aware)
Strengths of lab studies
High control of EVs
Replicable
Limitations of lab studies
Lacks ecological validity
Demand characteristics are more likely
Strengths of field studies
High ecological validity
Limited demand characteristics
Limitations of field studies
Hard to control EVs
Ethical issues (informed consent)
Strengths of natural studies
High external validity
Provides research opportunities without ethical issues or manipulation
Limitations of natural studies
Fewer opportunities for research
Less control of EVs
Strengths of quasi studies
High external validity
High control of EVs
Limitation of quasi studies
Confounding variables still have effect
Strengths of independent groups design
Order effects don’t affect results
Less demand characteristics
Limitations of independent groups design
More participants needed
More participant variables to take into account (helped with random allocation)
Strengths of repeated measures design
Participant variables controlled
Less participants needed - saves time & money
Limitations of repeated measures design
Order effects impact
Demand characteristics are present
