Types of experiments

What is a lab experiment

Experiment taking place in a controlled environment where extraneous variables can be under strict control

Strengths of a lab experiment

High degree of control as experimenter has control of all variables leading to greater accuracy

Can be Replicated to check results

Limitations of a lab experiment

Low ecological validity- high control makes situation artificial

Experimenter bias- can affect results and participant may be influenced by these expectations

What is a field experiment

Conducted in a more natural environment, not in a lab with variables still controlled

Strengths of a field experiment

High ecological validity- behaviour more likely to reflect real life due to natural setting

Less demand characteristics- less likely to affect results as they dont know theyre being studied

Limitations of a field experiment

Ethical concerns- likely no informed consent

Loss of control- extraneous variables present so replication not possible

What is a Quasi Experiment

Experiment where the IV hadn’t been determined by researcher and naturally exists e.g gender difference studies

Researcher examines the effect of this variable on the DV

Strengths of a Quasi experiment

Controlled conditions- have high interns validity and can be replicated

Limitations of a Quasi experiment

Cant randomly allocate participants to conditions- may be confounding variables present making it harder to conclude that the IV caused the DV

What is a natural experiment

experimenter observes the effects of a naturally occurring event on DV without manipulating any variables.

Strengths of a natural experiment

Provides opportunities- for research that would have been impossible due to practical/ ethical conditions

High internal validity- as your dealing with real life issues

Limitations of a natural experiment

Natural occurring events- may be rare meaning these experiment aren’t likely to be replicated, hard to generalise findings