Spaced learning involves spreading study sessions out over time, while massed learning (cramming) involves consolidation into a single long session.
Researchers wanted to investigate how spaced learning versus massed learning affected foreign language vocabulary acquisition. They recruited 80 participants who were randomly allocated to either the spaced learning group (Condition 1) or the massed learning group (Condition 2).
All participants were required to learn the English translations of 30 unfamiliar Swedish words presented on a computer screen.
After the final study session, all participants completed a vocabulary recall test under controlled laboratory conditions, where they had to write down the English translations of the 30 Swedish words within five minutes.
Explain two strengths of using a laboratory experiment for this vocabulary acquisition study.
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