Ecologic validity

Barkley, R.A. (1991) The ecological validity of laboratory and analogue assessment methods of ADHD symptoms. J Abnorm Child Psychol 19 149-178. 

Validity Convergent validity—sensitive to many forms of sleep deprivation Ecological validity—sensitive to performance used in everyday functioning Theoretical validity—reflects changes consistent with theorized functions of sleep... 

Finally, a cognitive performance assay used repeatedly during sleep deprivation should have high test-retest reliability it should be demonstrated to be sensitive to a large proportion of the performance phenomena associated with sleep loss and it should have the capacity to reflect aspects of real world performance (i.e., ecological validity). 

Hamad You touched on the fact that some of the questions we like to ask about whether is in fact a fitness measure are short-circuited by something analogous to the Daphnia situation we are currently out of our ancestral environment of evolutionary adaptation (EEA). I have a conceptual question about the ecological validity of IQ tests. We re asking in a sense about the ecological validity of IQ tests whether they indeed measure fitness and they re ecologically... 

The most commonly used research instruments are questionnaires and interviews. These are often combined with other research tools, for example the use of audio/video tape to record classroom activity (e.g. Thiele Treagust, 1994), or teachers explanations of their own concept maps (e.g. Millar and Nakhleh, 2001), or their descriptions of their written lesson plans (e.g. De Jong, 2000). All these methods for collecting data are very time-consuming and the analysis of data is multifaceted and intricate. For these reasons, most studies only involve a small number of participants. This can be considered a weak feature of such research. On the other hand, many studies have a naturalistic design that contributes to an ecological validity of the data that can be viewed as a strong feature of them. 

Recording methods in applied enviromnents make increasing use of new techniques for the acquisition of physiological and psychological data. Portable multichannel recorder/analyzer systems and handheld computers provide new means of ambulatory assessment and foster a more ecologically valid approach to many issues in the applied fields. In this chapter, such developments are reviewed with particular emphasis on ambulatory techniques. 

The demand for ecological validity in behavioral research has encouraged field studies and the development of appropriate methodologies that are feasible in applied... 

A higher reliabilily and ecological validity can be generally assumed with computer-assisted recordings than with paper and pencil questionnaires and diaries that lack flexibility and exactness when timing responses. 

Ecological validity of findings and suitability for direct apfdication. 

Taking all previously gathered information into consideration, we conclude that mobile research delivers benefits additional to those of traditional sensory research, such as high external and ecological validity as well as rapid data delivery (see Table 21.1). That is why we believe it to be worth being considered as new approach in the sensory community. 

Ecological validity Good measures taken. Poor not in classroom As for initial instrument As for other instruments... 

---