New Ideas in Experimental Political Science

For many observers, experiments symbolize science. Young and old alike are drawn to science by visions of women and men (often in white coats) experimenting on new ideas. In sciences such as chemistry and psychology, the image is real. Although both disciplines contain theorists and nonexperimental researchers, most of their professional norms and great accomplishments are indescribable without reference to experimental methods. In such disciplines, experiments are the leading vehicle of knowledge creation.