L4 Natural Experiments

• What is a natural experiment?


  A natural experiment is a study where the independent variable occurs naturally and is not manipulated by the researcher.
• How does the independent variable (IV) function in a natural experiment?


  The IV occurs naturally and would have happened regardless of the researcher's presence.
• What are the key differences between natural experiments and field experiments?

  • Natural experiments have high ecological validity as they reflect real-life behavior.
  • Field experiments involve manipulation of the IV by the researcher.
  • Natural experiments allow study of impractical or unethical IVs.
  • Field experiments may have more control over variables.
• What is one advantage of high ecological validity in natural experiments?


  It allows participants' behavior to reflect real-life situations.
• Why might researchers choose to conduct a natural experiment?

  To study the effects of IVs that may be impractical or unethical to manipulate.
• How do natural experiments reduce demand characteristics?


  Because the researcher does not directly intervene, participants behave more naturally.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of natural experiments?


  Strengths:

  • High ecological validity
  • Low demand characteristics
  • Can study impractical or unethical IVs

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low control over variables
  • Difficult to replicate
  • Cannot assume cause and effect
• Why is it difficult to replicate natural experiments?


  Events may happen rarely, making it hard to repeat the experiment exactly.
• What is a limitation regarding cause and effect in natural experiments?


  Multiple extraneous variables may affect the dependent variable, complicating cause and effect assumptions.
• What is one strength of natural experiments regarding participant behavior?


  Participants behave naturally, leading to highly valid results.
• How do natural experiments compare to laboratory experiments in terms of artificiality?


  Natural experiments are not artificial and reflect real-world behavior.