Lab Experiment: which description best fits?

Lab Experiment: which description best fits?

• A. An experiment that takes place in a natural, uncontrolled environment.
• B. An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the IV and records the DV while maintaining strict control of extraneous variables.
• C. A purely observational study.
• D. A survey conducted in a laboratory.

Answer: (B)

In a lab experiment, the study occurs in a controlled environment where the researcher deliberately manipulates the independent variable and measures the dependent variable while keeping extraneous variables under strict control. This combination is what allows researchers to infer cause-and-effect, since changes in the dependent variable can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable rather than other factors. The description that fits best mentions a controlled setting, explicit manipulation of the IV, recording the DV, and tight control of extraneous variables. The other descriptions describe different methods: a natural, uncontrolled environment points to a field study; an observational study involves no manipulation of the IV; a laboratory survey focuses on collecting self-reported data rather than testing causal effects through manipulation.

In a lab experiment, the study occurs in a controlled environment where the researcher deliberately manipulates the independent variable and measures the dependent variable while keeping extraneous variables under strict control. This combination is what allows researchers to infer cause-and-effect, since changes in the dependent variable can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable rather than other factors. The description that fits best mentions a controlled setting, explicit manipulation of the IV, recording the DV, and tight control of extraneous variables. The other descriptions describe different methods: a natural, uncontrolled environment points to a field study; an observational study involves no manipulation of the IV; a laboratory survey focuses on collecting self-reported data rather than testing causal effects through manipulation.