Field experiments

Definition of field experiment

A study that is conducted outside the laboratory in a "real-life" setting. Participants are exposed to one of two or more levels of an independent variable and observed for their reactions.

Strength of field experiments

Greater ecological validity, participants usually do not know they are being studied , so the behaviour is less artificial and more natural. Also, there is less change of demand characteristics, experimenter effects as participants are unaware that they are being tested.

Strength of field experiments

Field experiments generally have with higher ecological validity than laboratory experiments, as the natural settings will relate to real life.

Weakness of field experiments

Informed consent is not always acquired.

Weakness of field experiments

Less control over extraneous variables which can confound results. This makes it difficult to find truly causal effects between independent and dependent variables.

Strength of field experiments

Demand characteristics are less of an issue with field experiments than laboratory experiments (i.e. participants are less likely to adjust their natural behaviour according to their interpretation of the study's purpose, as they might not know they are in a study).

Weakness of field experiments

Precise replication of the natural environment of field experiments is understandably difficult, so they have poor reliability

Weakness of field experiments

Field experiments are more susceptible to sample bias, as participants are often not randomly allocated to experimental conditions

Demand characteristics

Cues that may influence or bias participants' behaviuor, for example, by suggesting the outcome or response that the experimenter expects or desires. Such cues can distort the findings of a study.

Experimenter effect

Any influence a researcher may have on the results of his or her research, derived from either interaction with participants or unintentional errors of observation, measurement, analysis, or interpretation.