Experiments
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 1.3.2
Experiments
Experiments are the primary means of conducting research in the natural sciences.
Experiments
- Experiments are used to test a hypothesis (a testable statement/an educated assertion that we do not know is true).
- Experiments are seldom used in sociology by either positivists or interpretivists.
Types of experiments
- Laboratory experiments control variables and, as such, are usually conducted in artificial environments.
- Field experiments are conducted in real-world settings, but variables remain tightly controlled.
Strengths of experiments
- The hypothesis can be tested in a controlled environment.
- It is easy to isolate and manipulate variables to identify the causes of events (except in field experiments).
- High reliability.
Strengths cont.
- Experiments allow for comparisons to be made with other experimental research.
- The researcher is seen as a detached, objective observer which is considered to be more scientific.
Field experiments
- Field experiments are conducted in real-world environments and are therefore considered to be high in validity.
- Field experiments are seen by interpretivists as producing more valid information.
Experiments & the Comparative Method
The experimental method has several weaknesses, making it inappropriate for some research projects. The Comparative method can be an option in these cases.
Weaknesses of experiments
- It’s difficult to isolate a single cause of a social issue.
- There are ethical problems, in that the researcher needs to treat one group of participants differently to another, raising the possibility of negative consequences on one group.
Weaknesses cont.
- Experiments often involve deception, where the researcher isn’t honest with the participants about certain aspects of the experiment, this makes it difficult to obtain informed consent.
- Experiments are often only practical in small-scale settings, which may be unrepresentative.
Weaknesses part 3
- Conditions are often artificial so they cannot always be applied to real-world settings.
- The risk of the Hawthorne effect can undermine validity.
- In field experiments, researchers can’t control all variables, making it difficult to establish cause and effect.
The comparative method
- The comparative method retains the main principles of the experiment but collects data on different societies or social groups and then compares them with another society or group.