Types of Experiment - Research Methods

Experiments that take place in highly controlled environments in order to control situational variables

Example: Loftus and Palmer study - effect of leading questions on memory

Strengths:

• complete control over variables
• forces pace of research
• reliable and easy to replicate
• quantitative data

Weaknesses:

• loss of ecological validity
• drawbacks of design (internal validity)
• demand characteristics
• sampling bias

research carried out in a natural environment instead of a lab

Example: Pilivan`s Subway Samaritan Study

Strengths:

• Natural environment - increased ecological validity
• quantitative data
• more ethical than lab experiments

Weaknesses:

• can be hard to replicate exactly
• lack of control over variables
• unable to use some technical equipment

researcher researches the aftermath of something that has already happened

Example: how students are affected by a gunman on a rampage in thier college

Strengths:

• reduction of demand characteristics
• lack of direct intervention

Limitations:

• loss of control over the independent variable

researcher in a natural experiment doesn`t control the independent variable, instead exploits naturally occuring differences

Example: the independent variable is age / gender

Strengths:

• reduction of demand characteristics
• lack of direct intervention

Limitations:

• loss of control over variables
• not recognised as an actuaal experiment