Jennifer K. Robbennolt (University of Illinois)

Donald Braman (George Washington University)
John Darley (Princeton University)
Mary R. Rose (University of Texas, Austin)
Sam Sommers (Tufts University)

The session is one of several panels on research methodology, sponsored by the CRN on Realist and Empirical Methods. These panels are designed to highlight and stimulate discussion of a particular aspect of methodology, create a bridge between those who have some expertise in using the method and methodological novices, and help facilitate translation of sociolegal research across methodological orientations. This session will focus on experimental design and will address issues of ecological and external validity in experimental sociolegal research. The initial presentation will provide a methodological overview and a roadmap of the issues. This background presentation will be followed by several substantive research presentations from experienced experimentalists who will use their research to illustrate the challenges and advantages of experimental designs for studying legal issues and to advance discussion of the pros and cons of different research design choices.