Field Experiments

What does a field experiment involve?

Takes place in natural surroundings, often participants are unaware they are taking part

How are field experiments higher in validity?

Field experiments are carried out in real life settings and are therefore more accurate, and if people arent aware they are being studied, so no Hawthorne Effect

How are field experiments unethical?

If participants are unaware they are being studied, there is a lack of informed consent, making the field experiment unethical

How are field experiments less reliable?

In field experiments many variables cannot be controlled, so they can't be repeated to get similar results

How are field experiments lower in validity?

In field experiments many variables cannot be controlled, so it is harder to establish cause & effect

How are field experiments low in representativeness?

Field experiments often involve smaller sample sizes and one setting, making it hard to generalise findings to a wider group/area

How are field experiments higher in validity in context with education?

Validity is higher as field experiments can be carried out less invasively and more naturally in schools, increasing the accuracy of results

How are field experiments high in reliability in the context of education?

Field experiments can be repeated in a variety of schools allowing results to be compared

How are field experiments unethical in the context of education?

Field experiments cause ethical issues in schools such as affecting the self-image of a student, or decieving students

How can field experiments be low in reliability in the context of education?

Differences between schools make field experiments difficult to repeat exactly