Which is a disadvantage of a lab experiment?

• A. Easy to replicate
• B. Lacks external validity
• C. High internal validity
• D. High ecological validity

Answer: (B)

In a lab experiment, the strength lies in control: variables are tightly managed, which gives high internal validity and makes replication easier. But the flip side is that the setting is artificial. This can change how participants behave and limit how well the findings apply outside the lab. That limitation is external validity, often discussed in terms of ecological validity. So, the main disadvantage is that results may not generalize well to real-world situations.

Easy to replicate is a strength, not a disadvantage, because standardized procedures help other researchers reproduce the study. High internal validity is also a strength for the same reason. The idea of high ecological validity doesn’t fit a typical lab setup, since lab tasks and environments are usually less realistic, so stating high ecological validity would be incorrect.