Assessing the Degree of Ecological Validity of Your Study: Introducing the Multidimensional Assessment of Research in Context ( MARC ) Tool
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT In cognitive neurosciences, fundamental principles of mental processes and functional brain organization have been established with highly controlled tasks and testing environments. Recent technical advances allowed the investigation of these functions and their brain mechanisms in naturalistic settings. The diversity in those approaches have been recently (Matusz, P. J., Dikker, S., Huth, A. G., & Perrodin, C. (2019). Are we ready for real‐world neuroscience? Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 31(3), 327–338. doi:10.1162/jocn_e_01276) classified via a three‐category cycle, including controlled laboratory, partially naturalistic laboratory, and naturalistic real‐world research. Based on this model, we developed the Multidimensional Assessment of Research in Context (MARC) tool to easily delineate the approach researchers have taken in their study. MARC provides means to describe the degree of ecological validity for each component of a study (e.g., sample, stimuli, measures, etc.), and the study's location on the cycle. The tool comprises seven questions concerning a study's characteristics. It outputs a summary of those and a compass plot, which can be used for presentations, preregistration, grant proposals, and papers. It aims to improve drawing conclusions across studies and raise awareness about the generalizability of research findings.
Source: Mind Brain and Education
DOI: 10.1111/mbe.12318
Institutions: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, University of Oregon, Monash University, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Favaloro University, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Neurología Cognitiva, Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The University of Texas at Austin, Harvard University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Vanderbilt University, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, The Sense Innovation and Research Center, University of Lausanne
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems and Management
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,150
OpenAlex ID: W4220945751