More about experiments

To get you thinking

Below are anagrams of 4 variables
associated with experiments. Unscramble
the letters to name the variables
CLNOORT
AEENORSTUX
DDEEENNPT
DDEEEINNNPT

How did you do?

Control
Extraneous
Dependent
Independent

Learning objectives
By the end of this lesson you should be able
to..
Distinguish between laboratory, field and
natural experiments
Evaluate each type of experiment

Watch this
What type of experiment is this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSsPfbu
p0ac&feature=related

Name one problem in this field

experiment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcow
GVd6GqY&NR=1

What is a natural experiment?

A study where both the independent variable
and the environment are natural i.e. not
controlled.
Can we assume cause and effect from this?
Examples:
- The effect of anti-smoking education on
teenage smoking rates.
- The effect of a terrorist attack on
psychological health.

Experiments and control

Laboratory
Control over the IV and EVs

Field
Control IV but no control over EVs

Natural (Quasi)
Use a naturally occurring IV (music lessons)
No control over anything

Strengths and Weaknesses

Laboratory Experiment
Strengths
Manipulation IV
indicates cause and
effect
Increased control and
accurate measurement
Standardised
procedures = replication
possible

Weaknesses
Total control not possible
Artificial environment might
cause behaviour that lacks
ecological validity
Results biased by
sampling, demand
characteristics
experimenter expectancy
May raise ethical problems
such as deception

Strengths and Weaknesses

Field Experiment
Strengths
Greater ecological
validity
Less likelihood of
demand
characteristics (if
people are unaware of
study)

Weaknesses
Difficulty in controlling
situation therefore
more bias from EVs
Difficult to replicate
Ethical problems of
consent, deception,
invasion of privacy

Strengths and Weaknesses

Natural Experiment
Strengths
Greater ecological validity
Weaknesses
as IV is a natural one
Difficult to infer cause and
Little demand
effect
characteristics
Impossible to replicate
Can investigate areas you
exactly
cannot set up
Bias if subjects know they
Increases validity as not
are being studied
manipulated by the
experimenter
Ethical problems

Finally
Write the best answer you can for the
exam question below:
Explain one advantage and one weakness of
field experiments. (2+2 marks)

Swap answers with a friend.

Highlight one phrase in your friends
answer that you think is good and one that
needs improving. Discuss how the latter
could be improved.

Homework
Construct a table of advantages and
weaknesses of laboratory, field and
natural experiments.
Hand in on Monday 19th September

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hu
LTfXzIvc