What is a laboratory experiment?
Experiment conducted in a highly controlled environment
What are the + and - of laboratory experiments?
+ Highly controlled - assume cause and effect
+ Replicable
- Highly artificial - lacks ecological validity
- Demand characteristics
- Can have ethical issues
- Lacks mundane realism
What is a natural experiment?
Experiment that isn’t deliberately manipulated by the researcher, but occurs naturally
What are the + and - of natural experiments?
+ High ecological validity
+ Reduced demand characteristics - unaware of experiment
- Can’t assume cause and effect
- Events may happen rarely
What is a field experiment?
Experiment that is performed in a natural setting
IV is manipulated by researcher
What are the + and - of field experiments?
\+ Good external validity \+ Reduced demand characteristics \+ High mundane realism - Less control - Hard to replicate - Can have ethical issues
What is a quasi experiment?
Experiment where IV isn’t manipulated by anyone
Research simply just exists
What are the + and - of quasi experiments?
+ Controlled conditions
+ Replicable
- Can’t assume cause and effect - confounding variables
- Cannot randomly allocate
