The Appropriateness of Using Laboratories and Student Participants in Gambling Research |
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Authors: | Sally Gainsbury Alex Blaszczynski |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia;(2) School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia |
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Abstract: | Increased recognition of the risks associated with gambling has resulted in a greater focus on empirical research to increase
the understanding of gambling and design appropriate response strategies. Laboratory studies are a popular mode of research
due to their relative ease and lower costs compared to field research; however such studies may be limited in the extent to
which results can be generalized to real gambling scenarios. The current research investigated the validity of a laboratory
research study using 127 university students (male = 97, mean age = 20.4) investigating the impact of harm-minimisation measures
by replicating the study in gambling venues with 124 club patrons (male = 89, mean age = 44.1). The main results and effects
of both studies were in the same direction, but fewer significant results were found in the venue study. Venue participants
provided much less information in response to survey questions than student participants and were less likely to return follow-up
questionnaires. It was concluded that both laboratory and field studies provide valuable contributions to the field, but caution
should be taken in interpreting results, and where possible both methodologies should be used to verify conclusions. |
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