Types of experiment

Question 1

What are the 4 key types of experiment?

Answer 1

• Laboratory
• Field
• Natural
• Quasi

Question 2

What are laboratory experiments?

Answer 2

Take place in highly controlled environments, researcher manipulates IV and records effect on DV

Question 3

What are the strengths of laboratory experiments?

Answer 3

• High control over extraneous variables (high internal validity)
• Replication is possible

Question 4

What are the limitations of laboratory experiments?

Answer 4

• May lack generalisation (low external validity)
• Demand characteristics
• Low mundane realism

Question 5

What is mundane realism?

Answer 5

The degree to which the materials and procedures involved in an experiment are similar to real world events

Question 6

What are field experiments?

Answer 6

Takes place in a natural, more everyday setting. Researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV

Question 7

What are the strengths of field experiments?

Answer 7

• High mundane realism (high external validity)

Question 8

What are the limitations of field experiments?

Answer 8

• Less control over extraneous variables
• Replication is difficult
• Ethical issues

Question 9

What are natural experiments?

Answer 9

Researcher takes advantage of pre-existing variables. IV is brought about naturally, not by researcher

Question 10

What are the strengths of natural experiments?

Answer 10

• Allows research which may not be ethical otherwise to take place
• High external validity (real-life issues)

Question 11

What are the limitations of natural experiments?

Answer 11

• Less scope for generalisation
• Reduced research opportunities
• Random allocation to experimental conditions

Question 12

What are quasi experiments?

Answer 12

IV is based on an existing difference between people (e.g. age, gender). No manipulation of the IV

Question 13

What are the strengths of quasi experiments?

Answer 13

• Carried out under controlled conditions
• High control over extraneous variables (high internal validity)
• Replication is possible

Question 14

What are the limitations of quasi experiments?

Answer 14

• Lack of random allocation
• Confounding variables