Experiment Types

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  • Experiment Types
    • Lab Experiments - experiments carried out in a lab setting or a well - controlled environment
      • can be replicated to ensure validity
      • likely to guess the aims, thus acting to please or displease the researcher
      • lacks ecological validity, as the participants may change their behaviour
      • eg - a memory test in a lab
      • EVs can be controlled, so can 100% say that the IV is responsible for the change
    • Field Experiments - experiments carried out in a natural environment
      • high ecological validity as behaviour is natural
      • may not know that they are in the study so won't guess the aims
      • it is unethical if they do not know that they are in the study
      • eg on the streets or at their home
      • harder to establish cause and effect due to a lack of control of the EVs
  • Quasi Experiments - experiments based on existing differences between participants (a quality they possess)
    • comparisons can be made
    • eg - the difference between genders
    • no random allocation or control of conditions, so there is no manipulation of the IV
    • high control, as they are often carried out in a lab, thus increased confidence in results
    • Experiment Types
      • Lab Experiments - experiments carried out in a lab setting or a well - controlled environment
        • can be replicated to ensure validity
        • likely to guess the aims, thus acting to please or displease the researcher
        • lacks ecological validity, as the participants may change their behaviour
        • eg - a memory test in a lab
        • EVs can be controlled, so can 100% say that the IV is responsible for the change
      • Field Experiments - experiments carried out in a natural environment
        • high ecological validity as behaviour is natural
        • may not know that they are in the study so won't guess the aims
        • it is unethical if they do not know that they are in the study
        • eg on the streets or at their home
        • harder to establish cause and effect due to a lack of control of the EVs
    • can't say for sure it is the IV effecting the DV
  • Natural Experiments - experiments that take advantage of pre-existing IVs that would have still happened, had the researcher not been interested
    • no random allocation, so the EVs can't be controlled
    • may be the only ethical option for situations that can't be created
    • greater external validity for real life situations
    • generalisation is limited, as some are one-off events
    • eg - orphans or a natural disaster

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