Experiments in social research

Petros Roussos

Chapter 11 in Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Research Methods in the Social Sciences, 2026, pp 79-84 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This entry discusses various aspects of experimental research, including experimental design, sources of internal invalidity, challenges in achieving external validity and ethical considerations. It emphasizes the importance of understanding different experimental designs and addresses sources of internal invalidity in experimental research. Challenges in achieving external validity are discussed, highlighting the impact of sample selection, the laboratory environment and ethical constraints on the generalizability of research findings. The need to balance internal and external validity to ensure that experiments provide meaningful insights applicable to real-world situations is underscored. The ethical considerations in experimental research are outlined, focusing on issues related to objectification, potential harm to participants, coercive and exploitative practices, and maintaining privacy and confidentiality. The entry acknowledges the use of deception in experiments and the ethical dilemma it poses, emphasizing the importance of assessing the necessity of deception in research and weighing it against the knowledge gained from the study.

Keywords: Experimental Designs; External Validity; Internal Validity; Research Ethics; Variables (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781803921297
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