Experiments

Which of these statements about experiments are true?

• A method not used in natural sciences

• Difficult to control variables and discover cause-and-effect

• Types include laboratory and field experiments
• Laboratory experiments are high in validity

Which of these key features of experiments are true?

• Low degree of control by the researcher

• Manipulation of variables and observation
• Doesn't produce cause-and-effect

• Qualitative data collection

Which of these statements about lab and field experiments are true?

• Laboratory experiments have more control, but are more artificial
• Field experiments are less true to life but have less control

• Laboratory experiments cannot be repeated for validation

• Field experiments have more control over variables

How do positivists view experiments?

• They see experiments as reliable and suitable for quantitative data collection
• They do not use standardized methods and cannot produce generalizations

• They consider experiments low in validity and usefulness
• Experiments are rarely used by positivists

What is NOT a problem with laboratory experiments?

• Artificiality, identification and control of variables, Hawthorne effect, ethical concerns
• Limited application and inability to study large-scale issues
• Free will and consciousness of humans
• They have no ethical issues

What are the advantages of field experiments?

• Less artificiality, higher validity
• More control over variables, larger-scale interactions
• No ethical problems, better understanding of social change
• Informed consent and psychological effects

What is a disadvantage of field experiments?

• More control over variables, limited application

• More artificiality, lack of understanding social change
• Ethical problems and limited participant consent
• Large-scale interactions and limited variables

What is the comparative method in research?

• A thought experiment that compares two groups with one differing characteristic
• A method to identify true cause and effect
• A way to avoid ethical problems and artificiality
• A technique to gain informed consent