Laboratory and Field Experiments
Laboratory/controlled experiment
- An experiment carried out in a controlled setting where variables can be carefully controlled - Participants are aware they are being studied although they may not know the true aims of the study
Field experiment
- An experiment conducted in a more natural environment. The IV is still manipulated by the experimenter therefore causal relationships can be established - Participants are not usually aware they are being studied therefore behaviour may be more natural
Disadvantages of field experiments
- Ethical issues arise as participants are not aware they are being studied meaning issue of privacy is broken and they have to be debriefed - Less control of extraneous and confounding variables which reduced internal validity - More time consuming and more expensive
Differences between lab and field experiments
- Extraneous and confounding variables are heavily controlled in a lab compared to field setting - In lab experiments participants are aware they are being studied compared to field where they are not - Lab setting is artificial and field setting is not
Advantages of lab experiments
- High internal validity as there is good control over all variables - Allows for precise control over extraneous variables and IV - Easy to replicate due to standardised procedure
Similarities between lab and field experiments
- In both kinds of experiment the researcher manipulates the IV to establish cause and effect on the DV - In both kinds of experiment the IV may be contrived and thus reduce mundane realism
Advantages of field experiments
- Less artificial, usually higher mundane realism and higher ecological validity - Low chance of demand characteristics as participants aren't aware they are being studied
Disadvantages of lab experiments
- Low ecological validity as tasks are more artificial and participants are aware they are being studied and there is a lack of mundane realism - Demand characteristics can occur when participants know they are being studied