Question 1a - Research Method (3 marks)
1 mark for identifying and stating the research method.
2 marks for summarising two characteristics of the research method.
Quantitative Research Methods
● Conducted in a highly controlled, artificial environment (lab).
● Researcher manipulates the independent variable (IV) and controls
extraneous variables.
● Participants are randomly allocated to conditions.
Laboratory experiment
● Standardized procedures ensure replicability and reliability.
● High internal validity due to control over variables.
● May lack ecological validity due to artificial setting.
● Participants aware of being studied may show demand characteristics
● Conducted in a natural setting outside the lab.
● Researcher manipulates the IV but cannot control all extraneous
variables.
● Participants are often unaware they are part of a study, reducing demand
Field experiment
characteristics.
● Higher ecological validity than lab experiments.
● Lower control reduces internal validity and reliability.
● Difficult to replicate precisely due to natural environment variability
● IV is naturally occurring or based on participant characteristics (e.g., age,
gender).
● Researcher does not manipulate the IV or randomly assign participants.
● Takes place in lab or natural settings.
Quasi-experiment
● Can investigate variables that would be unethical or impractical to
manipulate.
● Lower control over confounding variables.
● Cannot establish cause-effect, only correlation.
● Occurs when the IV changes naturally in the environment without
researcher manipulation.
● Participants are not randomly assigned; IV arises from real-life events
Natural experiment (e.g., policy changes, natural disasters).
● High ecological validity and real-world relevance.
● Limited control over extraneous variables.
● Cannot establish causality definitively.
● Examines the relationship between two or more variables without
manipulation or control.
● Can identify strength and direction of associations but not causality.
● Uses naturally occurring variables.
Correlational study
● Often conducted via surveys, observational data, or existing records.
● Useful for exploring variables that cannot be experimentally manipulated.
● No independent or dependent variables in strict experiment sense
[general knowledge].
1 mark for identifying and stating the research method.
2 marks for summarising two characteristics of the research method.
Quantitative Research Methods
● Conducted in a highly controlled, artificial environment (lab).
● Researcher manipulates the independent variable (IV) and controls
extraneous variables.
● Participants are randomly allocated to conditions.
Laboratory experiment
● Standardized procedures ensure replicability and reliability.
● High internal validity due to control over variables.
● May lack ecological validity due to artificial setting.
● Participants aware of being studied may show demand characteristics
● Conducted in a natural setting outside the lab.
● Researcher manipulates the IV but cannot control all extraneous
variables.
● Participants are often unaware they are part of a study, reducing demand
Field experiment
characteristics.
● Higher ecological validity than lab experiments.
● Lower control reduces internal validity and reliability.
● Difficult to replicate precisely due to natural environment variability
● IV is naturally occurring or based on participant characteristics (e.g., age,
gender).
● Researcher does not manipulate the IV or randomly assign participants.
● Takes place in lab or natural settings.
Quasi-experiment
● Can investigate variables that would be unethical or impractical to
manipulate.
● Lower control over confounding variables.
● Cannot establish cause-effect, only correlation.
● Occurs when the IV changes naturally in the environment without
researcher manipulation.
● Participants are not randomly assigned; IV arises from real-life events
Natural experiment (e.g., policy changes, natural disasters).
● High ecological validity and real-world relevance.
● Limited control over extraneous variables.
● Cannot establish causality definitively.
● Examines the relationship between two or more variables without
manipulation or control.
● Can identify strength and direction of associations but not causality.
● Uses naturally occurring variables.
Correlational study
● Often conducted via surveys, observational data, or existing records.
● Useful for exploring variables that cannot be experimentally manipulated.
● No independent or dependent variables in strict experiment sense
[general knowledge].
