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Experimental methods
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Author
camturnbull
ID
270932
Card Set
Experimental methods
Description
AQA PSYB4 Research Methods
Updated
4/17/2014, 10:48:39 PM
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