Types of experiments

• What is a laboratory experiment?

  An experiment in a controlled environment
• What are the pros and cons of using a natural experiment?

  Pros:

  • High external validity
  • Involves real-world issues

  
  

  Cons:

  • Rare natural events limit research
  • Non-random participant allocation affects certainty
• What defines a natural experiment?


  The researcher does not manipulate the independent variable
• What is a quasi experiment?


  An experiment without random allocation of participants
• What are the pros and cons of a quasi experiment?

  Pros:

  • Controlled conditions
  • Independent variable not deliberately changed

  
  

  Cons:

  • Cannot randomly allocate participants
  • Potential confounding variables
• What is a field experiment?


  An experiment in a natural everyday life setting
• What are the pros and cons of a field experiment?

  Pros:

  • High ecological validity

  
  

  Cons:

  • Less control over extraneous variables
  • Participants may be unaware of the study
• What are the pros and cons of a laboratory experiment?

  Pros:

  • High control over variables
  • Establish cause and effect relationships

  
  

  Cons:

  • Artificial setting and tasks
  • Results may not generalize to real life