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Based on the limitations of structured observation, explain how the researcher's design choices in this scenario affect both the ecological validity of the study and the likelihood of participant reactivity.
Case context: A developmental psychologist wants to study sharing behavior among preschool children. She sets up a structured play session in a university laboratory room equipped with specific toys. During the session, she sits in the corner of the room with a clipboard to code the children's behaviors, making no attempt to hide her presence from the children.
Question: Based on the limitations of structured observation, explain how the researcher's design choices in this scenario affect both the ecological validity of the study and the likelihood of participant reactivity.
Sample answer: The researcher's choice to conduct the study in a university laboratory room instead of a natural preschool setting decreases the study's ecological validity. Because the laboratory environment is artificial and highly controlled, it is less natural, making it unclear if the children's sharing behavior will generalize to real-world settings. Additionally, the researcher's choice to sit undisguised in the room with a clipboard increases the likelihood of participant reactivity, as the children are aware they are being watched and may alter their sharing behaviors as a result.
Key points:
- Understanding that the laboratory setting is an artificial/controlled environment.
- Explaining that the laboratory setting decreases ecological validity and limits generalizability to real-world sharing.
- Understanding that the researcher is an undisguised observer in this setup.
- Explaining that the undisguised observer will likely trigger participant reactivity, causing children to alter their natural behavior.
Rubric: An optimal response will explain: 1) How the choice of a laboratory room represents high environmental control, making the environment less natural and reducing ecological validity/generalizability (worth 50% of the grade). 2) How the choice to remain undisguised with a clipboard introduces a high risk of participant reactivity, as children notice the observer and may change their natural sharing behavior (worth 50% of the grade).
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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