Types Of Experiments Flashcards
(17 cards)
Ways of collecting date
• quantitative
• qualitative
Quantitative method
Using data that can be counted, usually given as numbers
Qualitative methods
Using data that is expressed in words and is non - numerical
Types of experiments
• laboratory
• field
• natural
Laboratory experiment
An experiment that take place in a controlled environment
Strengths of laboratory experiments
• extraneous variables can be controlled
• can use standardised procedures because of the control that is possible
Weakness of laboratory experiments
• laboratory experiments may not be like every day life
• Participants know they are being tested
Field experiment
An experiment that takes place in a natural setting
Strength of field experiment
• They are often more realistic than laboratory experiments because they are conducted in a natural environment
• they follow strand procedures
Weaknesses are field experiments
• the researcher may lose control of extraneous variables in the real - life settings
• that may be special ethical issues
Natural experiment
An experiment where the IV is not manipulated by the experimenter but would have changed whether the experiment was interested or not
Strength of natural experiment
• usually have high validity
• when the TV is measured in a laboratory, there can be a higher level of control over EVs
Weaknesses of natural experiments
• the natural event that the psychologist is interested in studying may only happen very rarely
• maybe unique characteristics of the participants
Case study
An in - depth investigation of a single individual, group, institution or event
Longitudinal
Case studies tend to take place over long periods of time
Strength of case studies
The researcher are often more open - minded when conducting a case study as they don’t have a particular hypothesis
Weakness of case studies
They often concern unique people or events
