INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTS

 DEFINATION OF PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and
mental processes. Behavior includes all of our outward
or overt actions and reactions, which we can we can
directly observe such as talking, facial expressions,
and movement. The term mental processes refer to all
the internal, covert (hidden) activity of our mind, the
internal states and processes, such as thinking,
feeling, and remembering. Psychologists try to
describe, predict, and explain human behavior and
mental processes, as well as help to change and
improve the lives of people and the world in which
they live. They use scientific methods to find answers
that are valid and legitimate.

 EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Experimental psychology attempts to apply the rules
of scientific methods to its subjects matter to
discover the lawful relationship that governs/direct
behavior. Initially, the experimental method was
borrowed from scientific discipline particularly from
physiology and physics. This method was then
successfully applied to several areas of psychology
mainly perception, learning and physiological basis
of behavior. In recent years experimentation in
psychology has enlarged considerably and included
many fields not previously covered among them
cognition, personality, social psychology and
development. Raymond Corsine (1999) in his
dictionary of psychology defines experimental
psychology as the scientific study of behavior,
cognition normally in a laboratory setting for the
purpose of prediciting, explaining or controlling
behavior. Experimental psychology aims at
establishing lawful, quantified relationships and
explanatory theory through comparison of responses
under controlled conditions.)

- Experimental Methods are those scientific

methods in which the experimenter changes the
events which are hypothesized to have an effect,
control other variables likely to affect the result
and looks for an effect or variation in the system
under observation. It seeks to explore and better
understand behavior through empirical research
methods. This work allows findings to be
employed in real-world applications (applied
psychology) across fields such as clinical
psychology, educational psychology, forensic
psychology, sports psychology, and social
psychology. Experimentation remains the primary
standard in psychological research. In some cases,
psychologists can perform experiments to
determine if there is a cause-and-effect
relationship between different
variables.Experimental psychology is able to shed
light on people’s personalities and life experiences
by examining what the way people behave and
how behavior is shaped throughout life, along with
other theoretical questions. The field looks at a
wide range of behavioral topics including
sensation, perception, attention, memory,
cognition, and emotion, according to the American
Psychological Association (APA). Research is the
focus of experimental psychology. Using scientific
methods to collect data and perform
research, experimental psychology focuses on
certain questions, and, one study at a time, reveals
information that contributes to larger findings or a
conclusion. The purpose of experimental
 psychology is to use the principles of the scientific
method to empirically study human behavior to
arrive at testable and repeatable conclusions. a
group of participants are exposed to a stimulus (or
stimuli), and their behavior in response is
recorded. This behavior is compared to some kind
of control condition, which could be either a
neutral stimulus, the absence of a stimulus, or
against a control group. Experimental psychology
is concerned with testing theories of human
thoughts, feelings, actions, and beyond – any
aspect of being human that involves the mind.

 Nature of Experimental Psychology

1.Experimental Psychology is scientific.

Psychology is the scientific study and practical

application of observable behavior and mental
processes of organisms. Psychologists do experiments
and make observations which others can repeat; they
obtain data which others can verify. This scientific
approach is very different from forming opinions on
the basis of individual’s behavior.

2.Experimental Psychology is universal

It uses the scientific method, which is a set of

procedures designed to establish general universal
laws by collecting facts and evaluating theories that
attempt to describe, explain, and predict phenomena.
Some researches are core mental attributes that are
shared at some conceptual level by all or nearly all
non-brain- damaged adult human beings across
cultures.

3.Experimental psychology is factual and verifiable

Experimental psychology is fact oriented i.e. it
contains facts, rather than giving theories or personal
interpretations. Experimental psychology uses the
scientific method to test theories of human thoughts,
feelings, actions and this data is obtained through
verifiable evidence of human behavior and mental
processes.

4.Experimental psychology is based on cause effect

relationship
Experimental psychologists, like most scientists,
believe that any state of an object or event is
determined by prior states. In other words, behavioral
or mental phenomena are typically stated in terms of
cause and effect. Causation in psychology can be
defined as a situation in which systematic changes in
one variable lead to changes in another variable.

 Goals of experimental psychology:

Experimental Psychology aims to achieve a specific set

of goals. Basically, it has four primary goals: to
describe, explain, predict, and control behavior.

1. Describe behavior:

The first goal of experimental psychology is to describe

the actual phenomenon in which humans and animals
behave in different situations. By describing a
problem, an issue, or behavior, psychologists can
distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior,
allowing them to gain a better understanding and a
more accurate perspective of human and animal
behavior, thoughts, and actions. To achieve this goal,
psychologists use a variety of research methods,
including surveys, case studies, natural observation,
and self-assessment tests. Through these scientific
methods, behavior can be described in minute details
and as objectively as possible. Once the action has
been described, the information gathered is used as
basis to further study the behavior that just occurred.

2. Explain behavior:

Once a specific behavior has been described,

psychologists then attempt to go beyond the obvious
and explain why people act the way they do. Through a
series of rigorous tests, scientific experiments, and
observations, psychology expounds on the reason
behind someone’s actions. Explaining behavior
provides answers to why people behave the way they
do under different circumstances. Throughout the
history of psychology, many theories have been
formulated to explain all aspects of human behavior.
While some are classified as mini theories (those that
focus on minor aspects of human thoughts and action),
a large part of psychological studies revolves around
the grand theories that encompass intricate details to
explain everything about human psychology. Some of
the well-known theories that explain all aspects of
human psychology include Pavlov’s theory of classical
conditioning, which refers to a learning procedure
where two kinds of biologically potent stimuli are
linked together to produce a newly acquired learning
response from an animal or a person.

3. Predict behavior:

Making predictions based on how people previously

thought and acted is the third goal of experimental
psychology. By analyzing past observed behavior,
psychological studies aim to predict and anticipate
how a certain behavior will appear again in the future.
This allows psychologists to form a pattern of behavior
and better understand the underlying causes of
people’s actions. By analyzing qualitative data
consisting of thought and action patterns,
psychologists and researchers can accurately make
guesses about human behavior. For instance, when
qualitative data reveals that certain scores in aptitude
tests predict student dropout rates, the information
can be used to estimate the number of students who
might leave school each year. Successfully predicting
behavior is important to the last and most important
goal in experimental psychology, which is to control or
change behavior.

4. Control behavior:

Aside from treating mental illnesses and enhancing

well-being, changing or controlling human behavior is
a huge focus of psychology. Various psychological
studies about human behavior are used to influence,
change, or control behavior using previously gathered
data about human behavior. In psychology, there are a
number of theories that deal with changing or
controlling people’s behavior. Some of these widely
known theories include the health belief model, the
theory of planned behavior, diffusion of innovation
theory, social cognitive theory, the transtheoretical
model, and the social norms theory. Whether behavior
can be successfully changed or controlled largely
depends on one’s ability to accurately define a
behavioral issue, assess the fundamental causes of
these problems, and develop and implement theory
and evidence-based interventions.

 HISTORY OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

 Psychophysics – Fechner

Fechner: one of the precursors of experimental

psychology, published “psychophysics” in 1860, he was
trying to work the relations between mind and body in
a scientific manner. He was a physicist and
mathematician who hoped to discover some
quantitative relations between physical stimulus and
resulting conscious sensation. Fechner firstly had to
devise suitable methods of experimentation and
statistical treatment of data. A large section of his
book was devoted to these “psychophysical methods”,
as they are still called, though they have somewhat
lost the metaphysical significance originally attached
to them by Fechner.

 Wilhelm Wundt

Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt was a German physiologist,

philosopher, and professor, known today as one of the
fathers of modern psychology. He, who distinguished
psychology as a science from philosophy and biology,
was the first person ever to call himself a psychologist.
Together with William James, he is regarded as the
father of psychology. In 1879, Wundt founded the one
of first formal laboratory for psychological research at
the University of Leipzig, and the first journal for
psychological research in 1881. By creating this
laboratory he was able to establish psychology as a
separate science from other disciplines. The new lab
was full of graduate students carrying out research on
topics assigned by Wundt, and it soon attracted young
scholars from all over the world who were eager to
learn about the new science that Wundt had
developed.

Wundt was awarded honorary doctorates from the

Universities of Leipzig and Göttingen, and the Pour le
Mérite for Science and Arts. He was nominated three
times for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Wundt's most important books are:

• Lehrbuch der Physiologie des Menschen
(Textbook of Human Physiology) (1864/1865, 4th ed.
1878);

• Grundzüge der physiologischen Psychologie

(Principles of Physiological Psychology), (1874; 6th ed.
1908–1911, 3 Vols.);

• System der Philosophie (System of Philosophy),

(1889; 4th ed. 1919, 2 Vols.);

• Logik. Eine Untersuchung der Prinzipien der

Erkenntnis und der Methoden wissenschaftlicher
Forschung (Logic. An investigation into the principles
of knowledge and the methods of scientific research),
(1880–1883; 4th ed. 1919–1921, 3 Vols.);

• Ethik (Ethics), (1886; 3rd ed. 1903, 2 Vols.);

• Völkerpsychologie. Eine Untersuchung der

Entwicklungsgesetze von Sprache, Mythos und Sitte
(Cultural Psychology. An investigation into
developmental laws of language, myth, and conduct),
(1900–1920, 10 Vols.);

Wundt retired in 1917 to devote himself to his

scientific writing. According to Wirth (1920), over the
summer of 1920, Wundt "felt his vitality waning ... and
soon after his eighty-eighth birthday, he died ... a
gentle death on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 3.

 Behaviorism

 Gestalt psychology

 Rise of cognitive psychology:

in the decades of 1950 and 1960, the language and

models that stimulated psychological research began
to change. Psychologists appeared to be less self
concerned with the status of psychology as a science
and more concerned with the kind of science that
psychology was to be. The results of the palovian
experiments, conditioning experiments began to be
interpreted in the terms of cognitive events and
signaled the increasing willingness to consider the role
mental processes that determined behavior in both
animals and humans. Topics of psychology such as
attention, concept formation and thinking became
more prominent in psychological research by late
1960s. The term experimental psychology felt out of
use and the field was divided into 2 distinct pursuits-
cognitive psychology and physiological psychology. In
the past 30 years, these 2 fields have again
transformed themselves with physiological psychology
turning decisively back to its biological origins and
becoming what is now called neuroscience.
Meanwhile cognitive psychology with its focus on
human memory, learning, problem solving, perception
& the like has been going through a similar phase,
giving rise to such fields as: cognitive neuroscience
(Focusing on brain activity) & cognitive science.
(Artificial intelligence).
 In 1915, first laboratory was established at
Calcutta by Dr. N.N. Sen Gupta
 Psychology was introduced as a discipline at
masters level at Calcutta university 1960.
 The Indian psychological association was formed
in 1925 and Indian journal of psychology was
started in 1926.

 METHODS OF RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY

  CASE STUDY
A case study is an in depth study analysis of an
individual, group or event. By studying a single case in
detail, researchers typically hope to discover principles
that hold true for people or situations in
general .Data may be gathered through observation ,
interviews ,psychological tests or task performance.
Case study have several advantages . First when a
rare phenomenon occurs it enables scientists to study
it closely. Second , a case study may challenge the
validity of a theory or widely held scientific belief.
Third a case study can be a vibrant source of new
ideas that may subsequently be examined using
another research method. The major limitation of case
study is that it is a poor method for determining cause
effect relations . A second potential drawback is
generalizability of findings , conclusions from a case
study can be particularly risky. The key issue is the
degree to which the case under study is
representative. A third drawback is the possible lack
of objectivity in the way data are gathered and
interpreted as they largely are based on researcher
subjective interpretations.

 NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION
In naturalistic observation , the researcher observes
behavior as it occurs in a natural setting , and
attempts to avoid influencing that behavior.
Naturalistic observation is also used to study human
behaviour . Being observant is a skill . Observation is
valuable for formal and informal action research. The
disadvantages of naturalistic observation are that
unlike case study here we cannot draw casual
conclusions. In the real world many variables
simultaneously influence behavior and they cannot be
disentangled with this technique. There is also
possibility of bias in how researcher interpret when
they observe . Finally even the presence of observer
can disrupt the behavior and thus researchers
disguise their presence. Thus this is prone to reliability
and validity issues. The advantages are that we can
study those topics here which we can’t study with
other methods . It is also a representative method. It
also allow investigators to directly observe the subject
in natural setting.
 EXPERIMENTS
Experiments involve manipulating one variable to
determine if this causes changes in another variable.
Experiments are a powerful tool for examining cause
and effect relations. The researcher manipulates one
variable and measures whether that variable influence
other variables. The researcher attempts to control
extraneous factors that might influence the outcome.
There are three most important variables.
1. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE – The term refers to
the factor that is manipulated or controlled by the
experimenter.
2. DEPENDENT VARIABLE - The term refers to the
factor that is measured by the experimenter and
that may be influenced by the dependent variable.
3. EXTRANEOUS VARIABLE - These are the
variables that influence the response other than
independent variable . Such as store size , noise,
temperature.
ADVANTAGES-
1. one of the best advantages is that cause and effect
relationship can be established.
 2. precise control can be exerted over other,
potentially confounding variables. Researcher have
strong hold over variables
3.In a experiment method control over extraneous
variables is usually greater than any other research
designs
DISADVANTAGES
1.This method is proved to be expensive.
2.it also has ethical limitations
3.Artificiality of labs is also one concern.
Generalizability can be doubtful if behaviour is
observed under highly artificial conditions.
 SURVEY METHOD
Surveys are structured questionnaires designed to
solicit information about specific aspects of
participants behaviour.In this method researcher will
ask a series of question about the topic they are
studying. Surveys can be conducted in person in the
form of interviews or on the telephones,the internet or
with a questionnaire. Survey is conducted on randomly
selected samples from the population by researcher.
ADVANTAGES-
1.Large amount of information can be gathered .
2.can be done in both field and labs settings.
DISADVANTAGES
1.Researchers have to be very careful about the group
of people they survey it should be a representative
sample to get unbiased result and getting a
representative sample is not always easy.
3.Another major disadvantage occurs because people
aren’t always give researchers accurate answers they
may lie outright, distort the truth, socially desired
answers.
4.Causal effect cannot be studied.
 CORRELATION STUDY METHOD
This method is measure of relationship between two or
more variables.this method represents two things the
direction and strength of the relationship between the
variables which is represented by correlation
coefficient . it is a numerical index of the degree of
relationship that exists between the variables which is
obtained by statistical techniques.
Correlation can be positive ,negative or zero
correration.
Positive correlation-as one increases the other variable
also increases or vice-versa.The two variable increases
in same direction.
Negative correlation-the two varaibles goes in opposite
directions , as one increases the other decreases or
vice-versa.
Zero correlation-it suggests that correlation statistics
do not indicate a relationship between the variables
which is indicated using the abbrevation 0.
The correlation range between +1 - -1.
ADVANTAGES
1.researchers use prevalence and relationship among
variables to forecast events from current data and
knowledge.
2.can study wide range of variables and there
interconnections
DISADVANTAGES
1. cannot show cause and effect relationship.
2.no control of third variable that might affect the
correlation.

 EXPERIMENTS

 STEPS IN AN EXPERIMENT
1. Define purpose
2. Formation of hypothesis
3. Manipulation of one or more independent variable
4. Measurement of one or more dependent variable
5. Specification of a particular design
6. Inclusive of control procedure in order to
overcome potential, extraneous variables. Or
confounding factors
7. Casual inference drawn from the finding

 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TEST AND

EXPERIMENT
TEST EXPERIMENT
 It measures  It establishes cause
individual and effect
differences relationship
 Participant is the  Participant is only
primary concern means to an end
  Participant is given a  The effect of
task and its capacity independent variable
to perform is is measured on the
assessed dependent variable
under controlled
conditions.
 Variables are
 There is no manipulated by the
manipulation on part experimenter
of tester  Results may vary
 Test results may minimally if
vary from one conducted under
person to another controlled conditions

 HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis refers to an assumption or a tentative
statement made by the researcher before execution of
the experiment regarding the possible outcome of the
experiment. It’s one of the most important steps of
psychological research and can be tested through
various scientific and statistical tools. It can be of two
types,
1.NULL HYPOTHESIS- In this, there’s no difference
between the group i.e., it denies the relationship
between variables under study.
2.ALTERNATE HYPOTHESIS- In this, there exists a
difference between the group i.e., there’s a
relationship between variables under study.
Alternate hypothesis can be further divided into
1.Directional- A directional hypothesis predicts the
nature of the
effect of the independent variable on the dependent
variable. It predicts in which direction the change will
take place i.e greater, smaller, less or more. Example-
Adults will correctly recall more words than children.
2. Non-directional-A non-directional hypothesis
predicts that the independent variable will have an
effect on the dependent variable, but the direction of
the effect is not specified. It just states that there will
be a difference. Example-There will be a difference in
how many numbers are correctly recalled by children
and adults.
 VARIABLES
Any stimulus or event which varies and takes on
different values or changes and can be measured is
variable. Variables can be- Dependent, Independent
and Extraneous
A) I.V- Variable which is manipulated/altered/strength
varied by the researcher in experiment is independent
variable. It is the effect of variable which researcher
wants to observe or notice in the study. For example
allocating participants to either drug or placebo
conditions (independent variable) in order to measure
any changes in the intensity of their anxiety
(dependent variable).
B) D. V- Variable on which effect of IV is observed is
called DV. It is expected that change in DV will ensue
from changes in IV. For example depression
symptoms, which depends on the independent variable
(type of therapy).
C) EXTRANEOUS variable (EV)- The variable which
impacts the relationship of independent and dependent
variable is known as extraneous variable. For example-
Any sort of lighting, noise etc.

 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS
Controlled experiment
Control is a very important characteristic of the
experimental method. In an experiment, it is important
that only the specified independent variables be
allowed to change. Factors other the independent
variable which might affect the dependent variable
must be held constant. It would do no good to study
the effects of varying an independent variable if,
unknown to the experimenter, other factors are also
changed. In an experiment, we must control conditions
which would give misleading results. it is literally true
that an experiment is no better than its controls.
Scientists must be very careful to control their
experiments adequately. This is often difficult in
psychology because so many factors can influence the
behaviour that is being studied. Therefore, in
interpreting experiments, it is important to look for
uncontrolled factors which might have affected the
results.
Two main strategies, or experimental designs, are
used to control extraneous factors.
Between subject design: in this type of design, each
participant is tested in only one condition
Within subject design: in this, each participant is
tested in under all conditions
ABA design
In this, a baseline (normal level) of behaviour is
established before the independent variable is
introduced. The behaviour after the addition of the
independent variable can then be compared with the
baseline behaviour. This before-and-after method gives
good control over individual differences among the
subjects which might affect the outcome of the
experiment because such individual differences are
present both before and after the independent variable
is introduced. If individual difference factors are held
constant, changes in behaviour must be due to the
independent variable. To make sure that the
independent variable produced the change in the
behaviour. it is often a good idea to see what happens
when the independent variable is removed after it has
been introduced. The behaviour should go back to
baseline levels if the independent variable did, in fact
produce the observed changes. This is called an A-B-A
design. the first A is the baseline condition without the
independent variable, B is the condition with the
independent variable, and the last A refers to the final
test of the behaviour without the independent variable.
ABBA design
in the ABBA paradigm, one can carry out two different
responses to two different stimuli. The first stimulus
(called Stimulus A) is viewed, a response is planned
but withheld until the end of the trial. Then a second
stimulus (called Stimulus B) is shown and the subject
must respond immediately (Response B). Then, they
must finish the trial with the final response A, which
should (hopefully) still linger in short term memory. A
whole trial takes around 6 seconds (which will be
repeated many times in one experimental session).
  TYPES OF EXPERIMENTS

Types of experiment-
1. Exploratory experiment
2. Confirmatory experiment
3. Laboratory experiment
4. Field experiment

1. Exploratory experiment is conducted in which

little knowledge to formulate a possible solution to a
problem exist. It is defined as research used to
investigate a problem which is not clearly defined. It is
conducted to have a better understanding of the
existing problem, but will not provide conclusive
results. For such a research, a researcher starts with a
general idea and uses this research as a medium to
identify issues, that can be the focus for future
research. An important aspect here is that the
researcher should be willing to change his/her
direction subject to the revelation of new data or
insight. Such research is usually carried out when the
problem is at a preliminary stage. It is often referred
to as grounded theory approach or interpretive
research as it used to answer questions like what, why
and how.
2. Confirmatory experiment is in which explicit
hypothesis is subjected to various types of test and is
confirmed/rejected. It is research (a.k.a. hypothesis
testing) is where researchers have a pretty good idea
of what's going on. That is, researcher has a theory (or
several theories), and the objective is to find out if the
theory is supported by the facts.
3. Laboratory experiments pay particular attention to
eliminating the effects of other, extraneous variables,
by controlling them (i.e., removing or keeping them
constant) in an artificial environment. This makes it
more likely for researchers to find a causal effect,
having confidence that no variables other than
changes in an IV can affect a resulting DV. Laboratory
experiments are the most heavily controlled form of
experimental research.

Participants can also be randomly allocated to

experimental conditions, to avoid experimenter bias
(i.e., the experimenter cannot be accused of choosing
who will be in each experimental condition, which
could affect the results).
Evaluation of laboratory experiments:
Advantages: -
- High control over extraneous variables means that
they cannot confound the results, so a ‘cause and
effect’ relationship between the IV and DV is often
assumed.
- Results of laboratory experiments tend to be reliable,
as the conditions created (and thus results produced)
can be replicated.
- Variables can be measured accurately with the tools
made available in a laboratory setting, which may
otherwise be impossible for experiments conducted ‘in
the field’ (field experiments).
Disadvantages: -
- Data collected may lack ecological validity, as the
artificial nature of laboratory experiments can cast
doubt over whether the results reflect the nature of
real-life scenarios.
- There is a high risk of demand characteristics, i.e.,
participants may alter their behaviour based on their
interpretation of the purpose of the experiment.
- There is also a risk of experimenter bias, e.g.,
researchers’ expectations may affect how they interact
with participants (affecting participants’ behaviour), or
alter their interpretation of the results.
4. Field experiments are conducted in a natural
setting (e.g. at a sports event or on public transport),
as opposed to the artificial environment created in
laboratory experiments. Some variables cannot be
controlled due to the unpredictability of these real-life
settings (e.g., the public interacting with participants),
but an independent variable will still be altered for a
dependent variable to be measured against.
Evaluation of field experiments:
Advantages: -
- Field experiments generally yield results with higher
ecological validity than laboratory experiments, as the
natural settings will relate to real life.
- Demand characteristics are less of an issue with field
experiments than laboratory experiments (i.e.,
participants are less likely to adjust their natural
behaviour according to their interpretation of the
study’s purpose, as they might not know they are in a
study).

Disadvantages: -
- Extraneous variables could confound results due to
the reduced control experimenters have over them in
non-artificial environments, which makes it difficult to
find truly causal effects between independent and
dependent variables.
- Ethical principles have to be considered, such as the
lack of informed consent; if participants are not made
aware of their participation in an experiment, privacy
must be respected during observations and
participants must be debriefed appropriately when
observations come to an end.
- Precise replication of the natural environment of field
experiments is understandably difficult, so they have
poor reliability, unlike laboratory experiments where
the exact conditions can be recreated.
- Field experiments are more susceptible to sample
bias, as participants are often not randomly allocated
to experimental conditions (i.e., participants’ groups
are already pre-set rather than randomly assigned).

 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF

EXPERIMENTS
Experimental method is considered to be the most
scientific and objective method for studying behavior.
It is observation under controlled conditions. In this
method the investigator tries to study the cause-and-
effect relationships regarding human behavior by
performing experiments. There are three types of
variables. Independent variable, depend variable and
intervening or controlled variable.
Advantages
• It provides researchers with a high level of control-
By being able to isolate specific variables, it becomes
possible to determine if a potential outcome is viable.
Each variable can be controlled on its own or in
different combinations to study what possible
outcomes are available for a product, theory, or idea as
well. This provides a tremendous advantage in an
ability to find accurate results.
• There is no limit to the subject matter or industry
involved-
Experimental research is not limited to a specific
industry or type of idea. It can be used in a wide
variety of situations. Teachers might use experimental
research to determine if a new method of teaching or a
new curriculum is better than an older system.
Pharmaceutical companies use experimental research
to determine the viability of a new product.
•Experimental research provides conclusions that are
specific-
Because experimental research provides such a high
level of control, it can produce results that are specific
and relevant with consistency. It is possible to
determine success or failure, making it possible to
understand the validity of a product, theory, or idea in
a much shorter amount of time compared to other
verification methods. You know the outcome of the
research because you bring the variable to its
conclusion.
•The results of experimental research can be
duplicated-
Experimental research is straightforward, basic form
of research that allows for its duplication when the
same variables are controlled by others. This helps to
promote the validity of a concept for products, ideas,
and theories. This allows anyone to be able to check
and verify published results, which often allows for
better results to be achieved, because the exact steps
can produce the exact results.
• Natural settings can be replicated with faster
speeds-
When conducting research within a laboratory
environment, it becomes possible to replicate
conditions that could take a long time so that the
variables can be tested appropriately. This allows
researchers to have a greater control of the extraneous
variables which may exist as well, limiting the
unpredictability of nature as each variable is being
carefully studied.
• Experimental research allows cause and effect to be
determined-
The manipulation of variables allows for researchers to
be able to look at various cause and effect
relationships that a product, theory, or idea can
produce. It is a process which allows researchers to
dig deeper into what is possible, showing how the
various variable relationships can provide specific
benefits. In return, a greater understanding of the
specifics within the research can be understood, even
if an understanding of why that relationship is present
isn’t presented to the researcher.
• It can be combined with other research methods-
This allows experimental research to be able to
provide the scientific rigor that may be nematodes for
the results to stand on their own. It provides the
possibility of determining what may be best for a
specific demographic or population while also offering
a better transference than anecdotal research can
typically provide.
Disadvantages
• Results are highly subjective due to the possibility of
human error-
Because experimental research requires specific levels
of variable control, it is at a high risk of experiencing
human error at some point during the research. Any
error, whether it is systemic or random, can reveal
information about the other variables and that would
eliminate the validity of the experiment and research
being conducted.
• Experimental research can create situations that are
not realistic-
The variables of a product, theory, or idea are under
such tight controls that the data being produced can
be corrupted or inaccurate, but still seem like it is
authentic. This can work in two negative ways for the
researcher. First, the variables can be controlled in
such a way that it skews the data toward a favorable or
desired result. Secondly, the data can be corrupted to
seem like it is positive, but because the real-life
environment is so different from the controlled
environment, the positive results could never be
achieved outside of the experimental research.
• It is a time-consuming process-
For it to be done properly, experimental research must
isolate each variable and conduct testing on it. Then
combinations of variables must also be considered.
This process can be lengthy and require a large
amount of financial and personnel resources. Those
costs may never be offset by consumer sales if the
product or idea never makes it to market. If what is
being tested is a theory, it can lead to a false sense of
validity that may change how others approach their
own research.
• There may be ethical or practical problems with
variable control-
It might seem like a good idea to test new
pharmaceuticals on animals before humans to see if
they will work, but what happens if the animal dies
because of the experimental research? Or what about
human trials that fail and cause injury or death?
Experimental research might be effective, but
sometimes the approach has ethical or practical
complications that cannot be ignored. Sometimes there
are variables that cannot be manipulated as it should
be so that results can be obtained.
• Experimental research does not provide an actual
explanation-
Experimental research is an opportunity to answer a
Yes or No question. It will either show you that it will
work or it will not work as intended. One could argue
that partial results could be achieved, but that would
still fit into the “No” category because the desired
results were not fully achieved. The answer is nice to
have, but there is no explanation as to how you got to
that answer. Experimental research is unable to
answer the question of “Why” when looking at
outcomes.
• Extraneous variables cannot always be controlled-
Although laboratory settings can control extraneous
variables, natural environments provide certain
challenges. Some studies need to be completed in a
natural setting to be accurate. It may not always be
possible to control the extraneous variables because of
the unpredictability of Mother Nature. Even if the
variables are controlled, the outcome may ensure
internal validity, but do so at the expense of external
validity. Either way, applying the results to the general
population can be quite challenging in either scenario.
• Participants can be influenced by their current
situation-
Human error isn’t just confined to the researchers.
Participants in an experimental research study can
also be influenced by extraneous variables. There
could be something in the environment, such an
allergy, that creates a distraction. In a conversation
with a researcher, there may be a physical attraction
that changes the responses of the participant. Even
internal triggers, such as a fear of enclosed spaces,
could influence the results that are obtained. It is also
very common for participants to “go along” with what
they think a researcher wants to see instead of
providing an honest response.
• Manipulating variables isn’t necessarily an objective
standpoint-
For research to be effective, it must be objective.
Being able to manipulate variables reduces that
objectivity. Although there are benefits to observing
the consequences of such manipulation, those benefits
may not provide realistic results that can be used in
the future. Taking a sample is reflective of that sample
and the results may not translate over to the general
population.
• Human responses in experimental research can be
difficult to measure-
There are many pressures that can be placed on
people, from political to personal, and everything in-
between. Different life experiences can cause people to
react to the same situation in different ways. Not only
does this mean that groups may not be comparable in
experimental research, but it also makes it difficult to
measure the human responses that are obtained or
observed. The advantages and disadvantages of
experimental research show that it is a useful system
to use, but it must be tightly controlled in order to be
beneficial. It produces results that can be replicated,
but it can also be easily influenced by internal or
external influences that may alter the outcomes being
achieved. By taking these key points into account, it
will become possible to see if this research process is
appropriate for your next product, theory, or idea.
• It costs a lot of money-
Experimental research can be costly , especially if the
researchers have to conduct numerous studies to test
each variable. If the studies are supported by the
government, they would consume millions or even
billions of taxpayers’ dollars, which could otherwise
have been spent on other community projects such as
education, housing, and healthcare. If the studies are
privately funded, they can be a huge burden on the
companies involved who, in turn, would pass on the
costs to the customers. As a result, consumers have to
spend a large amount if they want to avail of these new
treatments, gadgets, and other innovations.

 ETHICAL ISSUES
There are quite a few ethical concerns when dealing
with human subjects in an experiment or other type of
study. Here is a list of some of the most common
ethical guidelines:
1. The rights and well-being of participants must be
weighed against the study’s value to science. In other
words, people come first, research second.
2. Participants must be allowed to make an informed
decision about participation. This means that
researchers have to explain the study to the people
they want to include before they do anything to them
or with them—even children—and it has to be in terms
that the participants can understand. If researchers
are using infants or children, their parents have to be
informed and give their consent, a legal term known as
informed consent. Even in single- or double-blind
studies, it is necessary to tell the participants that they
may be members of either the experimental or the
control group—they just won’t find out which group
they were actually in until after the experiment is
concluded.
3. Deception must be justified. In some cases, it is
necessary to deceive the participants because the
study wouldn’t work any other way. For example, if
you intend to give the participants a test of memory at
the end but don’t want them to know about the test
beforehand, you would have to withhold that part of
the experiment. The participants have to be told after
the study exactly why the deception was important.
This is called debriefing.
4. Participants may withdraw from the study at any
time. The participants must be allowed to drop out for
any reason. For example, sometimes people get bored
with the study, decide they don’t have the time, or
don’t like what they have to do. Children participating
in studies often decide to stop “playing” (play is a
common part of studies of children). Researchers have
to release them, even if it means having to get more
participants.
5. Participants must be protected from risks or told
explicitly of risks. For example, if researchers are
using any kind of electrical equipment, care must be
taken to ensure that no participant will experience a
physical shock from faulty electrical equipment.
6. Investigators must debrief participants, telling the
true nature of the study and expectations of results.
This is important in all types of studies but particularly
in those involving a deception.
7. Data must remain confidential. Freud recognized
the importance of confidentiality, referring to his
patients in his books and articles with false names.
Likewise, psychologists and other researchers today
tend to report only group results rather than results
for a single individual so that no one could possibly be
recognized.
8. If for any reason a study results in undesirable
consequences for the participant, the researcher is
responsible for detecting and removing or correcting
these consequences. Sometimes people react in
unexpected ways to the manipulations in an
experiment, despite the researcher’s best efforts to
prevent any negative impact on participants. If this
happens, the researcher must find some way of helping
the participant overcome that impact (American
Psychological Association, 2002).