Experimental method

• Lab experiment features - Controlled environment, IV deliberately controlled, DV measured, participants know they are being studied.
• Strength of lab experiment - High internal validity meaning there is control over extraneous variables. It is easy to replicate therefore easy to test for reliability.
• Limit of lab experiment - Low external validity as it is unlike real life therefore difficult to generalise.
• Field experiment features - Natural environment, IV deliberately controlled, DV measured, participants unaware that they are part of the research
• Strength of field experiment - High external validity as its more like real life. Therefore can generalise results.
• Limit of field experiment - lack of control over extraneous variables. Ethical issues if the participants do not know they are being studied.
• Natural experiment features - The IV is natural and is changed by a natural occurrence.
• Strength of natural experiment - high external validity as its more like real life.
• Limit of natural experiment - Naturally occurring events may be rare therefore reduces opportunity to conduct and repeat research so hard to check reliability.
• Quasi experiment features - IV based off pre existing condition such as age or gender. This has not been manipulated.
• Strength of quasi - Easy to replicate and check for reliability.
• Limit of quasi - Cannot randomly allocate participants to variables so suffers from confounding variables.