Types of Experiment Flashcards
What are labatory experiments?
experiments conducted in highly controlled environments
Strengths of labatory experiments
control over extraneous and confounding variables (more confident that its the IV causing the effect on DV, so higher validity), can replicate to check consistency (reliable)
Weaknesses of labatory experiments
behaviour may unnatrual, low ecological validity, ps know they are being tested leading to increased demand charteristics
What are field experiments?
environment is familiar to the participant
Strengths of field experiments
produce behaviour that is more valid and authentic, high external validity
Weaknesses of field experiments
less control over confounding and extraneous variables, some types of research might constitue an invasion of privacy
What is a natural experiment
An experiment where the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would have happened even if the researcher had not been there. The event is already occuring, e.g where a participant lives
Strengths of natural experiments
provides opportunities for research that may not have otherwise taken place, high external validity, high ecological validity
Weaknesses of natural experiments
lack of control over extraneous variables (low validity), can’t ethically replicate to check reliability, so may be indiscovered anomalies
What is a quasi-experiment?
it’s not possible for the experiment to manipulate the IV (it’s fixed e.g if someone was left handed). Internal variable e.g autism
Strengths of quasi experiments
provides opportunities for research that may not have otherwise taken place, high external validity, high ecological validity
Weaknesses of quasi experiments
lack of control over extraneous variables (low validity), can’t ethically replicate to check reliability, so may be indiscovered anomalies
