Which statement best describes the difference between a lab experiment and a field experiment?

Which statement best describes the difference between a lab experiment and a field experiment?

• A. A field experiment has more control than a lab.
• B. A lab experiment is conducted in a controlled, artificial environment with high control of extraneous variables; a field experiment is conducted in a natural setting with higher ecological validity but less control.
• C. Lab experiments rely on deception.
• D. Field experiments are always non-experimental.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is balancing control with realism. Lab experiments are conducted in a controlled, artificial environment, which allows researchers to tightly manage extraneous variables and isolate the effect of the manipulated factor. This high level of control strengthens internal validity, making it clearer that any observed changes are due to the manipulation. Field experiments, on the other hand, take place in natural settings, so participants behave more as they would in real life. This yields higher ecological validity and better generalization, but there’s less control over real-world factors, which can weaken internal validity. Deception isn’t a defining feature of lab studies, and field experiments are still experimental because they involve manipulating an independent variable and measuring the outcome.

The key idea is balancing control with realism. Lab experiments are conducted in a controlled, artificial environment, which allows researchers to tightly manage extraneous variables and isolate the effect of the manipulated factor. This high level of control strengthens internal validity, making it clearer that any observed changes are due to the manipulation. Field experiments, on the other hand, take place in natural settings, so participants behave more as they would in real life. This yields higher ecological validity and better generalization, but there’s less control over real-world factors, which can weaken internal validity. Deception isn’t a defining feature of lab studies, and field experiments are still experimental because they involve manipulating an independent variable and measuring the outcome.