The Applied Value of Laboratory Research

Abstract

Laboratory studies and studies conducted with students are frequently criticized for questionable generalizability. The basis for the criticism has simply been that because students and laboratory settings are not managers and work settings, findings based on the former may not have anything meaningful to say about the latter. This commentary focuses on the issue of generalizability of laboratory studies and, more generally, explores the utility of both laboratory and field studies. Rationale for each approach and criteria for assessing each are offered.