Ecological Validity Revisited: A 10-Year Comparison of Two Journals

Abstract

The effect of pleas for ecologically valid research in the 1970s was examined. The research in two periodicals, the American Journal on Mental Retardation (AJMR), and the Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (JASH) was assessed for criteria of ecological validity. Using a 2 × 2 design, we found that the periodicals had relatively low and similar ecological validity scores in 1976 to 1978. For 1986 to 1988, however, JASH scores increased substantially, whereas AJMR remained at about the same level. Four of five categories changed significantly in JASH. Results were interpreted with respect to the nature of the advocacy and scientific values espoused by the mother organization of each periodical.

Keywords

ecological mental retardation research evaluation

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