Experiments

What are experiments?

• Research method where the researcher looks to manipulate one factor to see if it will cause a change in behaviour

• Uses variables: Factors that can be measured, manipulated and quantified

• The researcher looks to manipulate the independent variable to see if it causes a change in the dependent variable, which is then measured

What are laboratory or controlled experiments?

• All variables apart from the independent variable are controlled

• The causal relationship between the independent variable being manipulated and the dependent variable changing

What are field experiments?

• Natural environment: Less control over extraneous variables

• Researcher still looks to see if a manipulation of IV causes a change in DV

What is the usefulness of experiments?

• Highly scientific: Causal relationships and correlations

• High in reliability as it can be replicated

• They can test predictions and help to prove theoretical ideas

• Quantitative data useful for positivist sociology

What are the practical issues with experiments?

• Cost of materials and lab hire

• Gathering a representative sample

  • Lab experiments: Volunteers

  • Field experiments: Opportunity sample

• How do we control variables?

• Lack of consequences in lab experiments

What are the ethical issues with experiments?

• Deception in lab experiments- Often need to hide true aims from participants

• Consent in field experiments

• There is potential for psychological harm in both forms of experiment if the participant behaves against their own moral code

What are the theoretical issues with experiments?

• Can lack validity: Will behaviour be the same in a lab as in real life?

• May understand behaviours, but not the rationale behind them as produce largely quantitative data

• While it is objective, the researcher decides on variables to manipulate, reducing research to one factor

What are examples of ethical issues in experiments?

• Mostly used in social psychology

• Lab experiment

  • Milgram’s experiments into obedience

• Field experiment

  • Rosenthal and Jacobsen Pygmalion in the Classroom