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Questions and Answers
Which of the following are types of experiments? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are types of experiments? (Select all that apply)
What is a field experiment?
What is a field experiment?
An investigation looking for a causal relationship between an independent variable and its effect on a dependent variable conducted in a normal environment.
What is a natural experiment?
What is a natural experiment?
An investigation looking for a causal relationship where the independent variable cannot be manipulated by the experimenter.
What defines a laboratory experiment?
What defines a laboratory experiment?
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What does 'generalise' mean in research?
What does 'generalise' mean in research?
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What is ecological validity?
What is ecological validity?
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Laboratory experiments have high ecological validity.
Laboratory experiments have high ecological validity.
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What are some strengths of laboratory experiments?
What are some strengths of laboratory experiments?
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What are some weaknesses of laboratory experiments?
What are some weaknesses of laboratory experiments?
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What are some strengths of field experiments?
What are some strengths of field experiments?
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What are some weaknesses of field experiments?
What are some weaknesses of field experiments?
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What are some strengths of natural experiments?
What are some strengths of natural experiments?
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What are some weaknesses of natural experiments?
What are some weaknesses of natural experiments?
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Study Notes
Types of Experiments
- Three main experiment types: Laboratory, Field, Natural.
Field Experiment
- Investigates causal relationships between manipulated independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV).
- Conducted in participants' normal environments, enhancing natural behavior.
Natural Experiment
- Explores causal relationships where the IV cannot be manipulated by the researcher.
- Focuses on existing differences or changes; does not qualify as a true experiment due to lack of IV manipulation.
Laboratory Experiment
- Analyzes causal relationships by manipulating the IV and observing its effect on the DV.
- Conducted in artificial settings with strict controls; often lacks participants' natural environment.
Generalize
- Refers to applying study findings broadly to other settings and populations.
Ecological Validity
- Measures the extent findings in one context apply to different contexts.
- Influenced by the study's realism and task relevance, impacting generalizability.
Strengths of Laboratory Experiments
- Excellent control over extraneous variables, increasing overall validity.
- Capability to determine causal relationships clearly.
- Standardized procedures enhance reliability, allowing for replication.
Weaknesses of Laboratory Experiments
- Often exhibits low ecological validity due to artificial situations.
- Participants’ behaviors may be influenced by demand characteristics, skewing results.
Strengths of Field Experiments
- High ecological validity as participants interact naturally in their environments.
- Reduced demand characteristics since participants are often unaware they are part of a study.
Weaknesses of Field Experiments
- Difficulties in controlling extraneous variables, impacting reliability and replication.
- Researchers may struggle to confirm that changes in the DV stem from the IV, lowering validity.
- Ethical concerns arise due to lack of informed consent.
Strengths of Natural Experiments
- Useful for studying real-world issues, leading to better generalizability.
- Low demand characteristics as participants act in their normal settings, promoting representative behavior.
Weaknesses of Natural Experiments
- Feasible only when natural differences occur.
- Challenging control over extraneous variables, complicating causal conclusions.
- Difficulties in replicating the study, limiting reliability.
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Description
Explore the three main types of experiments: laboratory, field, and natural. Understand their unique features, methodologies, and how they contribute to psychological research. This quiz will help consolidate your knowledge of experimental design and its relevance in real-world applications.
