experimental method

• What is a lab experiment?

  Experiment in controlled environment, manipulating IV and recording DV.
• What is a field experiment?

  Experiment in natural setting, manipulating IV and recording DV.
• What is a natural experiment?

  Experiment where IV change occurs naturally, researcher records effect on DV.
• What is a quasi experiment?

  Study lacking key ingredients of an experiment, IV is existing difference between people.
• What is a a strength of lab experiments?

  High control over extraneous variables.
• What is the advantage of high control in lab experiments?

  Ensures that the change in IV caused the effect on the DV.
• What is the advantage of lab experiments in terms of replicability?

  Results can be easily replicated, ensuring reliability.
• What is the disadvantage of lab experiments in terms of ecological validity?

  Less like real life, producing less authentic behavior.
• What is the disadvantage of lab experiments in terms of demand characteristics?

  Participants' behavior is less natural due to awareness of being investigated.
• What is a strength of field experiments?

  High ecological validity, more like real life.
• What is the advantage of high ecological validity in field experiments?

  Produces more authentic behavior.
• What is the advantage of field experiments in terms of demand characteristics?

  Participants' behavior is more natural due to lack of awareness of being investigated.
• What is the disadvantage of field experiments in terms of control over extraneous variables?

  Low control, can't ensure IV caused the effect on DV.
• What is the disadvantage of field experiments in terms of replicability?

  Experiments can't be easily replicated, affecting reliability of results.
• What is a strength of natural experiments?

  High ecological validity
• Why do natural experiments have high ecological validity?

  Involves the study of real-life issues and problems.
• What is the advantage of natural experiments in terms of unique insights?

  Provides unique insights into real-life situations.
• What is the advantage of natural experiments in terms of research opportunities?

  Allows research into areas that are ethically or logistically challenging.
• What is the disadvantage of natural experiments in terms of control over extraneous variables?

  Low control, can't ensure IV caused the effect on DV.
• What is the disadvantage of natural experiments in terms of replicability?

  Experiments can't be easily replicated, affecting reliability of results.
• Why is it difficult to assess the effects of the IV on the DV in natural experiments?

  Due to lack of control over confounding variables.
• What is the caution when drawing cause and effect relationships in natural experiments?

  Extreme caution is needed, if at all.
• What is a limitation of natural experiments in terms of research opportunities?

  Rare occurrence of naturally happening events.
• What is a limitation of natural experiments in terms of generalizing findings?


  Less scope for generalizing findings to other situations.
• What is the advantage of quasi experiments?

  Often carried out in lab conditions
• What is a limitation of quasi experiments in terms of random allocation?

  Participants might not be randomly allocated to each condition.
• What is the concern with non-random allocation in quasi experiments?

  Increased chance of extraneous variables affecting the results.