There are many pieces of research that have used animals within psychology - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 12 - 2017 - Paper 1

Ethical Considerations: One significant issue is the ethical implications of using animals in research. Researchers must ensure that the animals are treated humanely and that their welfare is prioritized. This can lead to controversial discussions regarding the validity of the research in relation to the suffering imposed on the animals.

Generalizability of Findings: Another practical issue is the generalizability of research findings from animals to humans. Differences in physiology and behavior may limit the applicability of results, raising questions about whether findings from animal studies can accurately reflect human psychological processes.

Cost and Resources: Conducting research involving animals can be resource-intensive. It often requires significant funding for housing, care, and maintenance of the animals, as well as personnel trained to handle them properly. This may restrict research opportunities to those with adequate funding.

Environmental and Contextual Factors: Animals in research may not behave as they would in their natural habitats. The artificial conditions created in labs can influence behavior and outcomes, leading to potential inaccuracies in the data collected. Researchers must carefully consider how to mimic natural settings to enhance the validity of their findings.