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Lab Experiments are a Major Source of Knowledge in the Social Sciences

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  • Falk, Armin
  • Heckman, James J

Abstract

Laboratory experiments are a widely used methodology for advancing causal knowledge in the physical and life sciences. With the exception of psychology, the adoption of laboratory experiments has been much slower in the social sciences, although during the last two decades, the use of lab experiments has accelerated. Nonetheless, there remains considerable resistance among social scientists who argue that lab experiments lack "realism" and "generalizability". In this article we discuss the advantages and limitations of laboratory social science experiments by comparing them to research based on nonexperimental data and to field experiments. We argue that many recent objections against lab experiments are misguided and that even more lab experiments should be conducted.

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Paper provided by C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers in its series CEPR Discussion Papers with number 7620.

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Date of creation: Jan 2010
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Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:7620

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Related research

Keywords: controlled variation; field experiments; laboratory experiments;

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  1. John List & David Reiley, 2008. "Field experiments," Artefactual Field Experiments 00091, The Field Experiments Website.
  2. Friedman,Daniel & Sunder,Shyam, 1994. "Experimental Methods," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521456821.
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