Types of experiments

Question 1

what are laboratory experiments

Answer 1

• experiment that takes place in a controlled environment
• researcher manipulates IV and records DV

Question 2

what are the strengths of laboratory experiments

Answer 2

• high control over extraneous and confounding variables
• can be sure effect on the DV is due to IV
• high internal validity
• high reliability

Question 3

what are the limitations of laboratory experiments

Answer 3

• lack generalisability
• low external validity
• demand characteristics
• lack mundane realism - tasks not accurate to real life

Question 4

what are field experiments

Answer 4

• experiment that takes place in a natural setting
• researcher manipulates IV and records the effect of the DV

Question 5

what are the strengths of field experiments

Answer 5

• high mundane realism - represent real life
• produce more valid and authentic behaviour
• may not know they are being studied - high external validity

Question 6

what are the limitations of field experiments

Answer 6

• loss of control of extraneous and confounding variables
• cause and effect between IV and DV harder to establish
• ethical issues

Question 7

what are natural experiments

Answer 7

• experiment where the change in the IV isn’t brought upon by the researcher
• change wouldn’t be there if the researcher wasn’t

Question 8

what are the strengths of natural experiments

Answer 8

• research that doesn’t happen elsewhere
• Romanian orphan studies
• high external validity - study real world events

Question 9

what are the limitations of natural experiments

Answer 9

• less sure if the IV affects the DV
• sometimes rare cases

Question 10

what are quasi experiments

Answer 10

• IV hasn’t been determined by anyone

Question 11

what are the strengths of quasi experiments

Answer 11

• carried out under controlled conditions

Question 12

what are the limitations of quasi experiments

Answer 12

• confounding variables