types of experiment

• What is a laboratory experiment?


  An experiment carried out in a controlled environment
• What is the main advantage of a laboratory experiment regarding internal validity?


  The experimenter has high control over research variables
• Why is it easy to replicate laboratory experiments?

  Due to high levels of control and standardized procedures
• What is a disadvantage of laboratory experiments related to ecological validity?


  The results cannot necessarily be generalized beyond the research setting
• What are demand characteristics in the context of laboratory experiments?


  When participants become aware of the aims of the experiment
• What is a field experiment?


  An experiment conducted in a more natural environment
• How does the manipulation of the independent variable (IV) in a field experiment compare to a laboratory experiment?

  The IV is still deliberately manipulated by the researcher
• What is a key characteristic of participants in a field experiment?

  Participants are usually not aware that they are participating in an experiment
• What is a major advantage of field experiments regarding ecological validity?

  Results can be generalized beyond the research setting
• Why do field experiments have a lack of demand characteristics?

  Participants are usually not aware they are being studied
• What is a disadvantage of field experiments related to internal validity?

  The experimenter has less control over extraneous variables
• What is a natural experiment?

  An experiment conducted when it is not possible to manipulate an IV
• What occurs in a natural experiment regarding the independent variable?

  The IV occurs 'naturally'
• What is a key advantage of natural experiments?


  They allow research where the IV can't be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons
• What is a disadvantage of natural experiments regarding causal relationships?

  A causal relationship cannot be demonstrated
• What is a quasi-experiment?


  An experiment where the IV is a difference between people
• What is an example of a quasi-experiment?


  Do females drive faster than males?
• What is a key advantage of quasi-experiments?


  They allow comparisons between types of people
• How can quasi-experiments be conducted in a lab?


  The DV can be tested in a lab, allowing for high control
• What is a disadvantage of quasi-experiments related to ecological validity?


  They may be carried out in a lab, leading to low ecological validity
• What is a disadvantage of quasi-experiments regarding random allocation?


  Participants cannot be randomly allocated into conditions
• What are the main types of experimental research methods?

  • Laboratory Experiment
  • Field Experiment
  • Natural Experiment
  • Quasi Experiment
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of laboratory experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High internal validity
  • Easy to replicate

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low ecological validity
  • Demand characteristics
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of field experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High ecological validity
  • Lack of demand characteristics

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low internal validity
  • Less easy to replicate
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of natural experiments?


  Strengths:

  • Allows research where IV can’t be manipulated
  • High ecological validity

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lack of causal relationship
  • Lack of random allocation
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of quasi-experiments?

  Strengths:

  • Allows comparisons between types of people
  • Can be carried out in a lab

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • May be carried out in a lab (low ecological validity)
  • Lack of random allocation