Types of experiments

• Lab experiment:

  Conducted in a highly controlled environment
• Lab experiment AO3: Strengths

  • high control over extraneous variable
  • high internal validity, DV caused by IV
  • replication is possible due to high control and standarisation
• Lab experiment AO3: Limitations

  • may lack generalisability - not natural environment, affects ppt behaviour
  • low external validity
  • tasks don't represent real life so it has low mundane realism
  • demand characteristics are high - ppt behave differently
• Field experiment:

  IV is manipulated in a more natural everyday setting
• Field experiment AO3: Strength

  • high mundane realism
  • high external validity - in some cases the ppt do not know they are being observed
• Field experiment AO3: Limitations

  • lost of control of extraneous so cannot be certain the IV is causing DV
  • Ethical issues!!! - cannot give consent if do not know they are being observed
• Quasi experiment:

  A research design in which the IV is manipulated but the DV is not.