Describe the differences between a field experiment and a natural experiment, using any examples.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. 1 mark for each definition, for each type of experiment (maximum of 2 marks in total).
2. 1 mark for each difference.
3. 1 mark for each example that is linked to one type of experiment (maximum of 2 marks in total).
4. Examples can include examples from studies using such experiments, or of ways they could be used.
5. Definition: a field experiment has a manipulated IV and a measured DV and happens in the normal environment for the activity being investigated; (1 for basic definition)
6. Definition: a natural experiment has an IV which occurs spontaneously and a measured DV and often happens in the normal environment for the activity being investigated; (1 for basic definition)
7. Difference: so in field experiments the experimenter deliberately alters the DV
8. Example: like Piliavin et al. did by changing the stooge (victim)
9. Difference: whereas in natural experiments the IV just happens (so the researcher has to use existing differences in variables rather than deliberately changing them
10. Example: e.g. instead of Bandura et al. manipulating an aggressive stooge, they could have compared children in violent and in non-violent settings.
11. Difference: so natural experiments might be more ethical because there is no deliberate interference with the participants' existence