RM: Types of experiments Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is a laboratory experiment?
An experiment in a highly controlled environment where there is direct manipulation of the variables. It measures the DV against the IV.
What are advantages of laboratory experiments?
- You can easily control the variables.
- Controlled conditions makes it easily replicable, because a standardised procedure is used. (attempts to reduce bias)
- You can decipher what was the cause and effect more easily as they allow for precise control of extraneous and independent variables.
What are disadvantages of Laboratory experiments?
- Lacks ecological validity ( the extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be generalised to real-life settings- so lacks mundane realism.
- The artificiality of the setting may produce unnatural behaviour that does not reflect real life e.g. low ecological validity. This means it would not be possible to generalise the findings to a real life setting.
Demand characturistics- (participants form an interpretation of the experiment’s purpose and unconsciously change their behavior to fit that interpretation)- or experimenter effects may bias the results and become the confounding variables.
- If people are tested in a lab- they may be subject to evaluation apprehension ( where participants behaviour is distorted as they fear being judged by observers)
What is a field experiment?
- Field experiments are done in the everyday (i.e. real life) environment of the participants.
- The experimenter still manipulates the IV but in a real life setting ( so cannot really control extraneous variables)
What are the advantages of field experiments?
- High ecological validity - because of its natural setting, so higher ecological validity than a lab experiment!
- Less evaluation apprehension (predicts that when we work in the presence of others, our concern over what they will think can enhance or impair our performance)
- Less likelyhood of demand characturistics- as participants may not know that they are being studied!
What are the disadvantages of Field experiments?
- People may not give informed consent.
- Less control over extraneous variables that might bias the results- makes it difficult for another researcher to replicate the study in exactly the same way!
What is a Quasi experiment?
The IV is naturally occuring and the DV may be measured in a lab- the IV has not been made to vary by anybody! It is simply the difference between people that exists.
e.g. Gender
What are the advantages of quasi experiments?
- High ecological validity.
- As the researcher has little involvement, there are few demand characturistics and apprehension evaluation.
What are disadvantages of natural quasi experiments?
- Harder to control variables.
- Harder to replicate.
- Few opportunities to study natural events.
- There are many possible confounding variables.
What are the advantages of correlation analysis?
- Allows to measure the strength of the correlation.
- Trends can lead to research to establish a research project.
1) What is naturalistic observation?
2) What can it be (Two things)
1) Observing behaviour in a natural setting where the researcher may or may not influence behaviour.
2) Disclosed (where the researcher reveals him/herself )
Undisclosed ( Where the researcher remains hidden)
What are advantages of naturalistic observation?
- High ecological validity
- If undisclosed, there are no demand characturistics.
- Reflect real life situation.
What are disadvantages of naturalistic observation?
- Hard to replicate.
- If disclosed, there are demand characturistics.
- There is observer bias.
- Hard to control variables.
What is controlled observation?
Observing behaviour in a natural environment but the researcher can manipulate aspects of the situation.
What are the advantages of controlled observation?
- High ecological validity
- Easier to replicate
- Easier of researcher to focus on behaviour.
What are the disadvantages of controlled observation?
- The setting is controlled so there are demand characturistics.
- Observer bias.
What is participant observation?
What is a natural experiment?
They are conducted in the everyday ( i.e. real life) environment of the participants- but here the experimenter has no control over the IV as it occurs naturally in real life!
What are the strengths of natural experiments?
- Less likelyhood of demand characteristics affecting the results as participants may not know they are being studied!
- Can be used in situations that would be ethically unacceptable to manipulate the independent variable e.g. researching stress.
What are the disadvantages over natural experiments?
- They may be more expensive and time consuming than lab experiments.
- No control over the extraneous variables that might bias the results- makes it difficult for another researcher to replicate the study the same way!