How are threats to validity affected when studies are conducted in laboratory settings?
A) Threats to both internal and external validity are increased.
B) Threats to both internal and external validity are decreased.
C) Threats to internal validity are decreased, whereas threats to external validity are increased.
D) Threats to internal validity are increased, whereas threats to external validity are decreased.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Laboratory studies are conducted in highly controlled settings where researchers can manipulate and measure variables to examine cause-and-effect relationships. However, conducting research in a laboratory setting may also introduce some threats to validity.
Threats to internal validity are concerned with the extent to which observed effects can be attributed to the independent variable and not to some other variable. In a laboratory setting, researchers can control extraneous variables and ensure that the independent variable is the only factor that affects the dependent variable. Therefore, threats to internal validity are decreased in laboratory studies.
On the other hand, threats to external validity are concerned with the extent to which findings can be generalized to other settings and populations. Laboratory studies may lack ecological validity, meaning that the results may not apply to real-world situations. Therefore, threats to external validity are increased in laboratory studies.
In summary, laboratory studies may reduce threats to internal validity but increase threats to external validity.

How Are Threats to Validity Affected When Studies Are Conducted