Criminology Research Methods
Lab Experiment
A lab experiment takes place in an artificial environment such as a laboratory. For studying EWT this could be showing a group of pp’s a video of a car accident. The aim is to establish cause and effect. This is done through the researcher manipulating the independent variable to measure the effects on the dependent variable. In the study of EWT the dependent variable is often the recall/accuracy of the event and the IV can be factors such as age, or leading questions
Evaluation
Validity: Low ecological validity as it is an artificial environment that does not represent what a real witness would experience -they would not be prepared for something to happen; they would experience different emotions if witness to an incident; they would discuss what they have seen after a real incident and there is police involvement. Demand characteristics may occur because pp’s are prepared and know they are in an experiment.
Reliability: High as there is careful control over the variables e.g. age, and a standardised procedure is used so it can be replicated e.g. looking at the recall given by 18 year olds compared to recall from 50 year olds of a DVD of an robbery
Ethics: pp’s are aware they are taking part in a study so may give consent, although this may not be fully informed. Researchers can monitor pp’s to ensure they are protected from harm e.g. stop the study if someone becomes too upset
Field Experiment
A field experiment takes place in a natural setting, where an event is likely to happen. This could be asking people in the street to recall information, or by recreating an event that is likely to occur e.g. a robbery. The researcher aims to be able to establish cause and effect through manipulating the independent variable and measuring the effects on the dependent variable. In the study of EWT the dependent variable is often the recall/accuracy of the event and the IV can be factors such as age, or leading questions
Evaluation
Validity: High ecological validity as the event takes place in a realistic environment, so pp’s are likely to experience the conditions of a real witness e.g. the emotions and stress. There is unlikely to be demand characteristics as pp’s are not aware they are taking part in a study
Reliability: Lower reliability as there are situational variables that could occur. As extraneous variables cannot be fully controlled field experiments cannot be replicated exactly. However some field experiments may be staged in a controlled setting e.g. a bank, so situational variables are controlled
Ethics: Less ethical as pp’s unaware they are in an experiment so not informed consent. May be distressing for some pp’s so no protection from harm
Lab Experiment
A lab experiment takes place in an artificial environment such as a laboratory. For studying EWT this could be showing a group of pp’s a video of a car accident. The aim is to establish cause and effect. This is done through the researcher manipulating the independent variable to measure the effects on the dependent variable. In the study of EWT the dependent variable is often the recall/accuracy of the event and the IV can be factors such as age, or leading questions
Evaluation
Validity: Low ecological validity as it is an artificial environment that does not represent what a real witness would experience -they would not be prepared for something to happen; they would experience different emotions if witness to an incident; they would discuss what they have seen after a real incident and there is police involvement. Demand characteristics may occur because pp’s are prepared and know they are in an experiment.
Reliability: High as there is careful control over the variables e.g. age, and a standardised procedure is used so it can be replicated e.g. looking at the recall given by 18 year olds compared to recall from 50 year olds of a DVD of an robbery
Ethics: pp’s are aware they are taking part in a study so may give consent, although this may not be fully informed. Researchers can monitor pp’s to ensure they are protected from harm e.g. stop the study if someone becomes too upset
Field Experiment
A field experiment takes place in a natural setting, where an event is likely to happen. This could be asking people in the street to recall information, or by recreating an event that is likely to occur e.g. a robbery. The researcher aims to be able to establish cause and effect through manipulating the independent variable and measuring the effects on the dependent variable. In the study of EWT the dependent variable is often the recall/accuracy of the event and the IV can be factors such as age, or leading questions
Evaluation
Validity: High ecological validity as the event takes place in a realistic environment, so pp’s are likely to experience the conditions of a real witness e.g. the emotions and stress. There is unlikely to be demand characteristics as pp’s are not aware they are taking part in a study
Reliability: Lower reliability as there are situational variables that could occur. As extraneous variables cannot be fully controlled field experiments cannot be replicated exactly. However some field experiments may be staged in a controlled setting e.g. a bank, so situational variables are controlled
Ethics: Less ethical as pp’s unaware they are in an experiment so not informed consent. May be distressing for some pp’s so no protection from harm