What is a natural experiment?
What is a natural experiment?
A natural experiment is a study in which the independent variable is produced by a naturally occurring external event or environmental or policy change rather than manipulated by the researcher. The researcher observes its effect on a dependent variable. This differs from a quasi-experiment, in which pre-existing participant characteristics such as handedness, age, or biological sex define the groups.
Step-by-step lessons on Edexcel GCSE Psychology 11.1.11 Natural experiment. Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Start with the more concrete compulsory topics like memory and development before tackling evaluation-heavy optional topics and research methods.