types of experiments

Question 1

Describe the features of a lab experiment.

Answer 1

-Artificial setting and unfamiliar to ppts
-No Extraneous variables due to high manipulation of variables (but can have an affect on what you are measuring)
-Dependent variables often quantitatively measured
-Experimental and control group
-Volunteers
-Standardised procedure

Question 2

Give an example of a lab experiment in cognitive psychology.

Answer 2

Baddeley (1966) conducted an artificial lab experiment on 72 volunteers about STM and LTM encoding with number of words recalled that were either acoustically or semantically similar with controls.

Question 3

Evaluate the generalisability of lab experiments using a high and low point.

Answer 3

P- High
E - Lab experiments use standardised procedures with high control over variables
E - Therefore conditions are easy to replicate on a mass scale gaining a large sample

P - Low
E - Samples are often volunteer in which they would all share similar characteristics making them want to sign up
E - And so cannot represent wider population

Question 4

Evaluate the validity of lab experiments using a high and low point.

Answer 4

P - High
E - Strict levels of control over EVs in order to accurately measure the DV
E - This therefore means cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV can be established

P - Low ecological
E - Due to the controlled conditions it is artificial and unnatural to the ppts
E - Therefore their behaviour may not reflect true life as may show DCs due to knowing they’re in a study

Question 5

Evaluate the reliability of lab experiments using 2 high points.

Answer 5

P - High
E - Often use a standardised procedure in which all ppts receive the exact same conditions
E - Therefore they are easy to replicate to test for consistency

P - High
E - There are strict levels of control of all variables
E - Therefore conditions are easy to compare and replicate

Question 6

Evaluate the ethics of lab experiments using a high and low point.

Answer 6

P - High
E - As ppts are in a lab setting they know they’re in a study
E - They will have therefore given informed consent

P - Low ecological
E - Behaviour of ppts will not necessarily reflect that same behaviour in real life due to knowing they’re being studied
E - Therefore sometimes researchers use deception to avoid Demand characteristics

Question 7

Describe the features of a field experiment.

Answer 7

-Natural setting and familiar to ppts
-Some EVs due to limited manipulation of variables
-DVs can be quantitative or qualitative
-Experimental and control group
-Mainly opportunity
-Can still have standardised procedure

Question 8

Evaluate the generalisability of field experiments using a low point.

Answer 8

P - Low
E - Often use an opportunity sample of ppts available at the time, however this is bias as those who are in the same place at the same time share similar traits
E - And so cannot represent wider population

Question 9

Evaluate the reliability of field experiments using a high and low point.

Answer 9

P - High
E - Field experiments often use a standardised procedure in which all ppts receive the exact same conditions
E - Therefore they are easy to replicate to test for consistency

P - Low
E - There is a lack of control over extraneous variables due to being in a setting the research can’t control all aspects of
E - Therefore EVs changing the conditions can make it harder to replicate and compare

Question 10

Evaluate the validity of field experiments using 2 high points.

Answer 10

P - High ecological
E - The setting is natural to the ppt and so they are more likely to behave naturally
E - Therefore results will be more representative of real life behaviour

E - Due to the setting being natural to ppts they are less likely to guess the aim or that they are in a study
E - Therefore there is less chance of DCs and so behaviour is more natural