AO3

• What is a key advantage of laboratory experiments?

  High control over confounding variables
• Why can laboratory experiments demonstrate cause and effect?

  Because of manipulation of the independent variable
• What does high internal validity in laboratory experiments imply?

  More certainty about cause and effect relationships
• What is a disadvantage of laboratory experiments regarding generalizability?

  They may lack generalizability to real life
• What are demand characteristics in laboratory experiments?

  Participants may alter behavior due to awareness
• What is a limitation of tasks in laboratory experiments?

  They may lack mundane realism
• How do field experiments differ from laboratory experiments?

  They occur in participants' natural environments
• What is the impact of higher mundane realism in field experiments?

  It may produce more authentic and valid behavior
• What is a disadvantage of field experiments regarding control?

  Loss of control over confounding variables
• What ethical issue arises in field experiments?

  Participants may not consent to being studied
• What is a natural experiment?

  Research not possible for practical or ethical reasons
• Why do natural experiments often have high external validity?

  They study real-world issues as they happen
• What is a limitation of natural experiments regarding frequency?

  Rare naturally occurring events limit research opportunities
• What is a challenge in natural experiments regarding participant allocation?

  Participants may not be randomly allocated
• What is a characteristic of quasi experiments?

  Independent variable is based on existing differences
• How do quasi experiments maintain some strengths of laboratory experiments?

  They are often conducted under controlled conditions
• What is a limitation of both quasi and natural experiments?

  Independent variable is not manipulated by the researcher
• What is the purpose of a pilot study?

  To test the procedure with a small group
• Why are pilot studies important in self-report methods?

  They help refine ambiguous or confusing questions
• How do pilot studies benefit observational studies?

  They check coding systems before the main study
• What is a correlation?

  A test to see if two variables are related
• What does correlation not imply?

  That one variable causes the other
• What are the key differences between correlation and test of difference?

  Correlation has two dependent variables; test has one
• What type of data does a correlation study require?

  Ordinal variables that can be scaled
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of laboratory experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High control over variables
  • High internal validity
  • Easier replication

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low generalizability
  • Demand characteristics
  • Low mundane realism
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of field experiments?

  Strengths:

  • Higher mundane realism
  • More authentic behavior
  • High external validity

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Loss of control over variables
  • Ethical issues with consent
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of natural experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High external validity
  • Study real-world issues

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Rare events limit research
  • No random allocation of participants
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of quasi experiments?

  Strengths:

  • Utilize existing differences
  • Controlled conditions

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • No random allocation
  • Cannot establish cause and effect
• What are the purposes of pilot studies?

  • Test procedures with a small group
  • Refine ambiguous questions
  • Check coding systems in observational studies
  • Identify potential issues before the main study
• What are the differences between correlation and test of difference?

  • Correlation has two dependent variables
  • Test of difference has one independent and one dependent variable
  • Correlation cannot establish cause and effect
  • Correlation uses ordinal data; test can use nominal data