7.5: Increasing External Validity Simulation + Field Study

• Simulation


  The creation of conditions within an experiment that simulate or closely duplicate the natural environment in which the behaviours being examined would normally occur.
• What are two things researchers differentiate between in the context of a simulation?

  1. Mundane Realism
  2. Experimental Realism
• Mundane Realism

  The extent to which the superficial, usually physical, characteristics of the research environment duplicate the real-world environment that is being simulated.
• Experimental Realism


  The extent to which the psychological aspects of the research environment duplicate the real-world environment that is being simulated.
• Which of the two types of realism has little positive effect on external validity and why?

  It would mundane realism; this is because it does not do much to promote natural behaviour of participants.
• Field Study


  Research conducted in a place that the participant or subject perceives as a natural environment.
• What are the advantages with field studies and simulations?

  They allow researchers to investigate behaviour in more life-like situations; therefore, should increase the chances that the experimental results accurately reflect natural events.
• What are the disadvantages with field studies and simulations?

  • Both procedures allow nature to intrude on an experiments. This means that the researcher often loses some control over the situation and risks compromising the internal validity of the experiment.
  • Notable in field experiments, researchers have no control over the participants who show up.
  • Notable in simulations, despite providing opportunity to control the assignment; however, they are dependent on the participants' willingness to accept the simulation.