Blackwell Reference Online

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Research utilizing experimentation is increasingly being conducted in venues outside the research laboratory (→  Experiment, Laboratory ; Experimental Design ). Such projects, when they involve the manipulation of an independent variable in realistic circumstances, are called “field experiments.” Natural experiments, involving research conducted in realistic circumstances where the researcher does not manipulate the independent variable, are discussed elsewhere (→  Experiment, Natural ). Field experiments provide an excellent approach for studying both theoretically derived → hypotheses and problems of practical application. Conceptually, the differences between the laboratory experiment and the field experiment are slight; ideally, both are structured on one of the true experimental designs and consequently incorporate randomization and manipulable experimental treatments or interventions (i.e., independent variables) as fundamental components (→  Sampling, Random ). Similarities in the two experimental contexts diverge considerably, however, in terms of experimental control , with the researcher's ability to guard against circumstances that might provide alternative or rival explanations, threatening the →  validity of causal explanations, frequently challenged in field experiments. Yet, field experiments, because they are undertaken in circumstance not radically different ... log in or subscribe to read full text