Experiment that takes place in a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the IV, records the effect on the DV whilst maintaining control of extraneous variables
Advantages of lab experiment
High control over confounding variables + extraneous variables - ensures high internal validity
Easy to replicate - increases validity of findings
Disadvantages of lab experiments
Lack generalisability and low external validity - lab environment is artificial so in unfamiliar context, ppt may act in unusual ways so their behaviour cannot be generalised beyond the research setting
Risk of demand characteristics - ppts know they are being tested
Low mundane realism
What are field experiments?
An experiment that takes place in a natural, everyday setting
Advantages of field experiments
Higher mundane realism - environment is more natural
Ppts are unaware they are being studied so behaviour is more authentic - high external validity
Disadvantages of field experiments
Low control over extraneous variables - cause and effect between IV/DV more difficult to identify + close replication is unlikely
Ethical issues - ppts don't consent as they are unaware of study + invasion of privacy
What are natural experiments?
Experiment where the researcher has no control over the IV and researcher cannot change it (IV changes naturally) - something else causes it to change e.g. before and after a natural disaster
Advantages of natural experiments
Provide opportunities for research that may not otherwise be undertaken for practical/ethical reasons
High external validity - involves study of real-world issues/problems
Disadvantages of natural experiments
A natural occuring event may only happen very rarely, reducing opportunities for research - limits scope for generalisation to other similar situations
Ppts may not be randomly allocated so researcher is less sure whether the IV affected the DV
What are quasi-experiments
Experiments that have an IV that is based on an preexisting difference between people (e.g. age, gender) and unlike a natural experiment the IV cannot be changed
Advantages of quasi-experiments
Controlled conditions
No demand characteristics
Disadvantages of quasi
Cannot randomly allocate so their may be EV and confounding variables