Laboratory experiments, field experiments, natural experiments, and quasi experiments.
What is a laboratory experiment?
They are conducted in highly controlled environments. This is not always a laboratory e.g. it could be a classroom.
What is a field experiment?
The IV is manipulated in a natural, more everyday setting. The researcher goes to the participants' usual environment rather than them going to the researcher's lab.
What is a natural experiment?
The researcher has no control over the IV and cannot change/manipulate it. The researcher still measures the effect of an IV on a DV.
What is a quasi experiment?
Quasi experiments have an IV that is based on an existing difference between people (e.g. age, gender, ethnicity etc). No one has manipulated this variable and it cannot be changed.
