Experimental method: Lab and
field experiments
LO: To describe and evaluate different types of experiments in
psychological research.
Do Now:
Can you provide examples of any lab
experiments you’ve learned about?
SPEC CHECK: Experimental method. Types of experiment, laboratory and field experiments;
natural and quasi-experiments.
,TASK: Complete worksheet
1. Write the aim of the experiment?
• To see if gender (male vs. female) has an effect on the amount of money
people are willing to donate to charity.
2. Identify the independent variable and dependent variable?
• IV – Male / Female Photographs
• DV – Amount of money donated, in £s.
3. Write a directional hypothesis;
• There will be an increase in the amount of money donated in £s, for male
charity collectors in comparison to female charity collectors.
, 4. Write a non-directional hypothesis;
• There will be a significant difference in the amount of money donated in £s, for mal
collectors in comparison to female charity collectors.
5. Identify possible extraneous variables in the above study and suggest ways to overcome
variables;
• Participant variables – type of charity, age of ppts, race
• Situational variables – time of day
6. What experimental design was used in this experiment?
• Independent measures – high earnings vs. low earnings.
7. Why was it necessary for the experimenter to use this experimental design?
• It was essential to use independent measures as the two groups were different from
another (high vs. low earnings). It is only possible for participants to take part in on
condition of the study.
field experiments
LO: To describe and evaluate different types of experiments in
psychological research.
Do Now:
Can you provide examples of any lab
experiments you’ve learned about?
SPEC CHECK: Experimental method. Types of experiment, laboratory and field experiments;
natural and quasi-experiments.
,TASK: Complete worksheet
1. Write the aim of the experiment?
• To see if gender (male vs. female) has an effect on the amount of money
people are willing to donate to charity.
2. Identify the independent variable and dependent variable?
• IV – Male / Female Photographs
• DV – Amount of money donated, in £s.
3. Write a directional hypothesis;
• There will be an increase in the amount of money donated in £s, for male
charity collectors in comparison to female charity collectors.
, 4. Write a non-directional hypothesis;
• There will be a significant difference in the amount of money donated in £s, for mal
collectors in comparison to female charity collectors.
5. Identify possible extraneous variables in the above study and suggest ways to overcome
variables;
• Participant variables – type of charity, age of ppts, race
• Situational variables – time of day
6. What experimental design was used in this experiment?
• Independent measures – high earnings vs. low earnings.
7. Why was it necessary for the experimenter to use this experimental design?
• It was essential to use independent measures as the two groups were different from
another (high vs. low earnings). It is only possible for participants to take part in on
condition of the study.
