Field & Comparative Method

• What type of experiment is set up by a researcher in a natural environment without the participant's knowledge?

  Field experiment
• What is manipulated by the researcher in a field experiment?

  The independent variable (IV)
• In a field experiment, what does the researcher measure?

  The effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable
• What did Rosenthal and Jacobson manipulate in their study?

  Teacher expectations about pupil abilities
• What is a key strength of field experiments according to positivists?

  High ecological validity
• Why do field experiments have greater ecological validity than laboratory experiments?

  They take place in the participant's natural environment
• How does the Hawthorne effect relate to field experiments?

  It is less likely to occur because participants may not be aware they are being studied
• What is a limitation of field experiments compared to laboratory experiments?

  Lack of control over situational variables
• What is a practical advantage of field experiments?

  They can effectively measure the effectiveness of social policies
• What is a theoretical disadvantage of field experiments according to interpretivists?

  Low ecological validity due to manipulated tasks
• How can situational variables affect the results of field experiments?

  They can confound the results, making it difficult to establish cause and effect relationships
• What ethical concerns are associated with field experiments?

  Deception and lack of informed consent
• What can justify the ethical concerns in field experiments?

  Following up and fully debriefing participants
• What is the comparative method in sociology?

  A thought experiment comparing individuals, groups, or societies
• What type of data is primarily used in the comparative method?

  Official statistics
• What did Durkheim study using the comparative method?

  Suicide rates in relation to religious belief and different countries
• What is a theoretical advantage of the comparative method according to positivists?

  It allows for establishing cause and effect relationships
• How does the comparative method avoid creating artificial research situations?

  It uses real data from official statistics
• What is a practical advantage of the comparative method?

  It can study past events
• What ethical issues are associated with the comparative method?

  There are no ethical problems as it poses no harm or deception
• What is a disadvantage of the comparative method according to interpretivists?

  It reveals little about individual meanings
• Why might there be a lack of control over variables in the comparative method?

  It relies on secondary data gathered by others
• What is a practical limitation of the comparative method?

  It can be difficult to make comparisons between countries
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of field experiments in sociological research?

  Strengths:

  • High ecological validity
  • High reliability with standardized procedures
  • Effective for measuring social policies

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low internal validity due to uncontrolled variables
  • Ethical concerns regarding deception and consent
  • Costly and time-consuming
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the comparative method in sociological research?

  Strengths:

  • High validity with realistic data
  • Useful for establishing cause and effect
  • Can study past events

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Little insight into individual meanings
  • Lack of control over variables
  • Difficult to make comparisons due to different data collection methods
• What are some sample exam questions related to experiments in sociology?

  • Evaluate the strengths and limitations of using experiments to investigate labelling in schools.
  • Outline two advantages of using the comparative method in sociological research.
  • Evaluate the theoretical, practical, and ethical problems of using laboratory experiments in sociological research.