Experimental methods

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  1. What are the characteristics of lab experiments?
    • The effect of an independent variable on a dependant variable is measured
    • As many variables as possible are controlled 
    • They can take place in any environment as long as it is controlled
  2. What are the strengths of lab experiments?
    • There is a high degree of control of variables
    • Replication is easy as an exact setting is specified 
    • Cause and effect are easier to determine as the DV is less likely to be affected by something other than the IV
    • Technical equipment is easier to use in a controlled setting
  3. What are the limitations of lab experiments?
    • Experimenter bias could come into play 
    • Some IV and DV selections cannot be operationalised (anger levels)
    • The setting is artificial and low in ecological validity 
    • Demand characteristics could come into play with P's guessing the object of the study
  4. What are the characteristics of field experiments?
    • They take place in a natural environment 
    • The IV is manipulated to affect the DV
    • Not all variables can be controlled
  5. What are the strengths of field experiments?
    • They are high in ecological validity 
    • There are reduced demand characteristics 
    • The setting is less artificial and thus more generalisable to the real world
  6. What are the limitations of field experiments?
    • There is very little control over extraneous variables 
    • Studies are difficult to replicate as it is almost impossible to duplicate natural environments 
    • Complex scientific machinery cannot be used
  7. What are the characteristics of a Quasi experiment?
    • The IV is naturally occurring 
    • The study does not usually occur in a lab 
    • The IV is not manipulated by the researcher
  8. What are the strengths of Quasi experiments?
    • They are high in ecological validity as the settings are organic and realistic 
    • There is less manipulation of P's and thus fewer ethical issues
  9. What are the limitations of Quasi experiments?
    • They are very time consuming to carry out as researchers must wait for the IV to occur naturally 
    • It is more difficult to discern cause and effect due to the large number of uncontrollable extraneous variables
    • Replication of naturally occurring IV is almost impassible meaning the studies cannot be replicated

Card Set Information

Author:
 camturnbull
ID:
 270932
Filename:
 Experimental methods
Updated:
2014-04-17 22:48:39
Tags:
Psychology Methodology camturnbull
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Description:
AQA PSYB4 Research Methods
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