Types of experiment

• What is a lab experiment?


  An experiment conducted in a controlled environment
• What characterizes a standardised procedure in research?

  A controlled, repeatable method used in an experiment
• What is a field experiment?

  An experiment conducted in a more natural environment
• What is a natural experiment?

  An experiment where the independent variable occurs naturally
• What is a quasi-experiment?


  An experiment that has an independent variable based on existing differences
• What does reliability mean in research?

  It measures if something stays the same consistently
• What is ecological validity?

  The extent to which a study resembles real-life situations
• What is mundane realism?


  The degree to which a study reflects everyday life
• What is internal validity?

  The extent to which a study accurately identifies a causal relationship between variables
• What are demand characteristics?

  Cues that may lead participants to guess the researcher's hypothesis
• What is random allocation in experiments?

  Assigning participants to different groups in an unbiased manner
• What are the pros and cons of lab experiments?

  Pros:

  • High control and internal validity
  • Consistent and uniform procedures
  • Ethical (consent given)

  
  

  Cons:

  • High demand characteristics
  • Low ecological validity
• What are the pros and cons of field experiments?

  Pros:

  • Higher ecological validity
  • More natural behavior observed

  
  

  Cons:

  • Less control of extraneous variables
  • Potential ethical issues
• What are the pros and cons of natural experiments?

  Pros:

  • Very high ecological validity
  • Observes behavior in natural settings

  
  

  Cons:

  • Cannot control the independent variable
• What are the pros and cons of quasi-experiments?

  Pros:

  • Can be randomly allocated
  • Less demand characteristics

  
  

  Cons:

  • Less control over variables
  • Ethical issues may arise
• Summarize the types of experiments in psychology.

  • Lab experiments: Artificial, controlled environment
  • Field experiments: Everyday setting, researcher manipulates IV
  • Natural experiments: Natural, uncontrolled environment
  • Quasi-experiments: Based on existing differences (e.g., gender)