experiment methods

• a laboratory experiment is used to conduct research in a controlled way
• lab experiments use standardised instructions
• lab experiments have strong control of variables which means a clear cause and effect can be found
• an advantage of lab experiments is that a casual relationship can be determined
• lab experiments have a good control of extraneous variables
• a disadvantage of lab experiments is that the setting can make participants behaviour unnatural as they could be responding to demand characteristics
• a field experiment is conducted outside a laboratory
• in a field experiment the IV is manipulated and the DV is measured
• an advantage of field experiment is that there is high ecological validity
• with a field experiment demand characteristics can be avoided
• a disadvantage of field experiments is that there is less control and extraneous variables are more likely in a natural environment
• a disadvantage of field experiments is that they are harder to replicate
• a natural experiment is when you manipulate and measure variables in a lab or field setting
• a strength of a natural experiment is that they are more likely to be realistic as they happen in a natural environment
• a limitation of a natural experiment is that they are not as reliable because you cannot directly control the IV
• in a natural experiment confounding variables are more likely which has a negative effect
• a quasi-experiment are naturally occurring and can be conducted in lab or field setting
• a strength of a quasi experiment is that they are ethical as they use people who already have an issue
• a negative of a quasi experiment is that they are only possible in natural conditions and control is difficult