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Using laboratory experiments to study law and crime

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  • Christine Horne
  • Heiko Rauhut

Abstract

The 19th and 20th centuries produced breakthroughs in physics, chemistry, and the biological sciences. Laboratory research played an important role in the rapid advances made in these fields. Laboratory research can also contribute progress in the social sciences and, in particular, to law and criminology. To make this argument, we begin by discussing what laboratory experiments can and cannot do. We then provide three illustrations of lab experiments that have contributed to understanding of crime and law and discuss how these laboratory data complement those gained through other methods. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Christine Horne & Heiko Rauhut, 2013. "Using laboratory experiments to study law and crime," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 1639-1655, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:47:y:2013:i:3:p:1639-1655
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-011-9617-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Christoph Engel, 2016. "Experimental Criminal Law. A Survey of Contributions from Law, Economics and Criminology," Discussion Paper Series of the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods 2016_07, Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods.
    2. Heiko Rauhut, 2015. "Stronger inspection incentives, less crime? Further experimental evidence on inspection games," Rationality and Society, , vol. 27(4), pages 414-454, November.
    3. Massimiliano Giacalone & Maria Rosaria Giannuzzi & Demetrio Panarello, 2018. "DNA test to assess criminal responsibility: a Bayesian approach," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(6), pages 2837-2853, November.

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