Educational Software Evaluation Research: Balancing Internal, External, and Ecological Validity

Authors

Sarah Ellen Ransdell PhD, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publisher

Springer New York LLC

ISSN

0743-3808

Publication Date

6-1993

Keywords

Educational Software, Internal, External, Ecological, Metaanalytic Studies, Computer Simulations, Psychology Classrooms, Laboratories

Abstract

The difficulties inherent in the evaluation of educational software are described in terms of the tradeoffs between internal, external, and ecological validity. Larger issues in evaluation research design and computer-based instruction are highlighted by primary and metaanalytic studies designed to reveal the effects of computer simulations in psychology classrooms and laboratories. The effectiveness of classroom and laboratory computer activities depends on how the inclusion of software, as well as the evaluation process itself, changes the entire instructional process.

DOI

10.3758/BF03204502

Volume

25

Issue

2

First Page

228

Last Page

232

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

NSUWorks Citation

Ransdell, Sarah Ellen PhD, "Educational Software Evaluation Research: Balancing Internal, External, and Ecological Validity" (1993). Department of Health Sciences Faculty Articles. 243.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_hs_facarticles/243