Toward an explicit technology of ecological validity

Tara A. Fahmie, Nicole M. Rodriguez, Kevin C. Luczynski, Javid A. Rahaman, Brinea M. Charles, Amanda N. Zangrillo

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debatepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ecological validity refers to how closely an experiment aligns with real-world phenomena. In applied behavioral research, ecological validity may guide decisions about experimental settings, stimuli, people, and other design features. However, inconsistent use of the term ecological validity in the published literature has led to a somewhat disjointed technology. The purposes of this paper were to review current uses of the term “ecological validity” in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, propose ways to make a study more ecologically valid, and develop a checklist to assist in identifying the type and degree of ecological validity in any given study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)302-322
Number of pages21
JournalJournal of applied behavior analysis
Volume56
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2023

Keywords

  • ecological validity
  • effectiveness
  • experimental design
  • participatory action research
  • social validity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Philosophy
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Applied Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Toward an explicit technology of ecological validity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this