In psychology, different research methods are used extensively.  All of the ways to test and conduct research can be broken down into three categories: descriptive research, correlational research and experimental research.  I will be focusing on descriptive research.

Within descriptive research, there are different ways to conduct tests, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  There is naturalistic observation, laboratory observation, case studies and surveys.  All of these types are important in psychology, but for this article, I will be discussing laboratory observation.

Laboratory observation is pretty self-explanatory.  The researchers bring in people to be participants in their test, which takes place in an environment controlled by the researchers, and will make the test as similar to a real life situation as possible.  During my freshman year here at Penn State, I was enrolled in a biology lab where we performed different tests on each other.  One test we did was to assess how physical activity affects the human body.  I volunteered to be the test subject for this lab.  I was to run on the treadmill for as long as I could and at a constant speed.  The incline, however, was increased every three minutes.  While I was running, I had different physiological aspects measured, such as my heart rate, skin temperature, breaths per minute and oxygen intake.

An advantage to laboratory observations is that the researchers who are conducting the test can control certain aspects and have all the necessary specialized equipment.  For example, there was a specific treadmill I was to use.  One disadvantage in a laboratory observation is that the behavior of the participant might not be the same was it would be in a natural setting.  For example, I did not have the opportunity to drink water while I was being observed.  If I had been in a natural gym environment, I would have had a few sips of water every few minutes.  Also, because I had to breathe into an apparatus every three minutes, my throat quickly became dry and irritated, causing me to tire faster.

Laboratory observations are very useful when it comes to studies related to psychology.  Even though there are a few disadvantages, I believe the benefits of the advantages are more important.