What are some current challenges and trends in experimental research in psychology?

1 Ethical considerations

One of the challenges of experimental research in psychology is to ensure that it meets the ethical standards and principles of the discipline. This means that researchers have to protect the rights, dignity, and welfare of the participants, and minimize any potential harm or distress that may result from the manipulation or measurement of variables. Researchers also have to obtain informed consent, respect confidentiality, and debrief the participants after the experiment. Ethical considerations may limit the scope or feasibility of some experimental designs, especially those involving deception, sensitive topics, or vulnerable populations.

2 Replication crisis

Another challenge of experimental research in psychology is to address the replication crisis, which refers to the difficulty or failure of reproducing the results of previous studies. The replication crisis has raised concerns about the validity, reliability, and generalizability of experimental findings, and has prompted researchers to adopt more rigorous and transparent practices to ensure the quality and credibility of their research. Some of these practices include preregistering the hypotheses, methods, and analyses, sharing the data and code, conducting meta-analyses, and collaborating with other researchers.

4 Mixed methods

Another trend of experimental research in psychology is to use mixed methods, which combine quantitative and qualitative data and analyses. Mixed methods can enhance the depth and breadth of the experimental research, by providing complementary perspectives, triangulating the results, and exploring the underlying mechanisms and processes of the phenomena under study. Mixed methods also require some skills and strategies, such as integrating the data and analyses, balancing the strengths and weaknesses of each method, and addressing the potential conflicts or contradictions between them.

5 Open science

A final trend of experimental research in psychology is to embrace open science, which refers to the movement and practices that aim to make the research more accessible, transparent, and reproducible. Open science can improve the quality and impact of the experimental research, by facilitating the sharing and reuse of the data, code, materials, and results, enhancing the collaboration and communication among researchers and stakeholders, and increasing the accountability and trustworthiness of the research. Open science also involves some challenges, such as dealing with ethical, legal, and practical issues related to the data protection, privacy, and ownership, and adopting the appropriate standards, formats, and platforms to disseminate the research.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?