types of experiments

• What is a natural study?

  Research without direct manipulation of IV
• Why is the IV in a natural study considered beyond manipulation?

  It occurs naturally in the environment
• Where does a natural study take place?

  Participants' natural environment
• How does a researcher utilize a natural change in the environment?

  By taking advantage of the change for research
• What are the strengths of natural studies?

  • Lower demand characteristics
  • Lack of direct intervention
  • Ethical investigations possible
• What are the weaknesses of natural studies?

  • Cannot establish causal relationships
  • Rare occurrence of situations
  • Ethical issues with informed consent
• What is a field study?

  Research conducted in participants' natural environments
• How is the IV controlled in a field study?

  The researcher controls the IV
• What is a potential issue with participants in field studies?

  They may be unaware they are being studied
• What are the strengths of field studies?

  • High ecological validity
  • Lower demand characteristics
  • Possible to establish causal relationships
• What are the weaknesses of field studies?

  • Low control over variables
  • Difficult to replicate procedures
• What is a quasi study?

  Research with naturally occurring differences
• When is a quasi study used?

  When direct manipulation of IV is impossible
• What are the strengths of quasi studies?

  • Allows comparison between different people
• What are the weaknesses of quasi studies?

  • No random allocation of participants
• What is a lab study?

  Research conducted in a highly controlled environment
• How is the IV managed in a lab study?

  The researcher controls the IV
• What are the strengths of lab studies?

  • High control over extraneous variables
  • Reliability can be assessed
  • Establish causal relationships confidently
• What are the weaknesses of lab studies?

  • Low ecological validity
  • Demand characteristics present
  • Ethical issues with right to withdraw
• How does ecological validity differ between natural and lab studies?

  Natural studies have high ecological validity
• What is the impact of demand characteristics in lab studies?

  Participants may change behavior due to awareness