ecological validity

Ecological validity refers to the extent to which conditions in an experiment, such as a randomized controlled trial, are replicated in the real world. For example, an early intervention that involved giving families an intervention costing tens of thousands of dollars might be effective, but it would be unlikely to be replicated. A common failure of the ecological validity test occurs when programs work very well for the designer who is involved in their delivery, but are much less effective when others try to achieve the same results elsewhere.

Upcoming Events

XVIIth ISPCAN International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect
7 Sep 2008 - 10 Sep 2008
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong, China
Fulfilling potential: better outcomes for all children (Dartington-i Seminar Series, September 2008)
17 Sep 2008 - 19 Sep 2008
The Royal Commonwealth Club, London, UK
Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Meeting 2009
2 Apr 2009 - 4 Apr 2009
Denver, Colorado, United States
XIV European Conference on Developmental Psychology
18 Aug 2009 - 22 Aug 2009
Vilnius, Lithuania
ISPCAN Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect 2009
15 Nov 2009 - 18 Nov 2009
Perth, Australia
Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting 2010
11 Mar 2010 - 13 Mar 2010
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia, PA
Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting 2011
31 Mar 2011 - 2 Apr 2011
Montreal, Canada

Research : Mood studies are food for more thought

There is tantalizing evidence that we are not only physically and mentally affected by what we eat but that we might also be drawn towards certain foods according to our state of mind – and body.

Research : Growing up in the Age of Terrorism

Philadelphia researchers argue that so extreme has been the emotional climate generated by the US administration's preoccupation with a war on terror that investigation is warranted into the effects on young people of what they call “secondhand terrorism”.

Comment : How to be sure the song remains the same

Why is promoting fidelity in the implementation of evidence-based prevention programs like singing an Irish ballad? The policy co-ordinator at Penn State’s Prevention Research Center, Brian Bumbarger, explains the connection between the oral tradition and effective practice.