laboratory

• A laboratory experiment are experiments in an controlled environment so you can control certain elements.
• These have an IV and a DV which means you make a change compared to a group that stays the same to see the comparison.
• Theoretical advantages of a laboratory experiment are:

  • Provides accuracy and precision as you are able to control the variables to see the cause and effect relationship
  • Allows researchers to isolate variables to precisely measure the exact effect the variables have on one another. Eg. temperature
  • Able to eliminate extraneous variables so they do not interfere with results
• Theoretical disadvantages of a laboratory experiment is that:

  • They lack external validity as it is quite far removed from reality so it does not explain elements in real life
• Practical advantages of laboratory experiments is that:

  • Many funding bodies like to fund these experiments due to their scientific prestige
  • Easier to access for the researcher as it is all done in one place
• Practical disadvantages of laboratory experiments is that:

  • May take a long time to get a large sample due to likely researching one person at a time
  • Doesn't necessarily allow access to a larger scale of lab setting as you aren't able to research things such as a subculture or a community.
• Ethical advantages of a laboratory experiments is that:

  • Benefit to society may outweigh costs to respondents
  • They have the right to withdraw
• Ethical disadvantages of a laboratory experiment is that:

  • Deception and lack of informed consent
  • Often necessary to deceive subjects of the true nature of the experiment so cannot give full consent
  • May experience harm to respondents
• • Laboratory experiments are extremely reliable as it means they are able to replicate the exact conditions.
  • There is also little room for the researchers own values to influence the respondent as they have little interaction