Experiments

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Experiments

Advantages

  • High in control
  • Quantitative data so results can be compared easily
  • Can be repeated to show reliability
  • Easy to see cause and effect

Disadvantages

  • Not ecologically valid
  • Demand characteristics
  • Doesn't provide a lot of detail (superficial)
  • Reductionism

Evaluation

Types of experiment - Lab - cause and effect shown                                        - low in ecological validity                                        - takes place in controlled conditions - most reliable                               - Field - more ecologically valid - in an everyday situation                                         - less certain about cause and effect                                         - lose control over participants                              - Quasi - lose control                                          - can investigate things otherwise impractical or unethical                                          - experimenter doesn't manipulate the IV, nature does

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