Résumé
This presentation will outline the design challenges, dilemmas, and potential benefits related to studies that combine both motor learning and sport psychology in settings that promote ecological validity. Framed against our own studies examining the impact of technology use in coaching, self-regulated learning, and sport performance, the authors will unpack unexpected challenges in pursuit of our inter-disciplinary work. Specifically, we have examined the use of technology in golf coaching and practice using golf simulators commonly used by golf instructors across several sessions. The goal was to employ classic motor learning paradigms while ensuring ecological validity in translating results for applied use to coaches. The presentation will illustrate the necessity of pivoting and compromising on several accounts related to recruitment of participants, the task and experimental design, and the environment. While there is a clear benefit for increased ecological validity for experimental field work, it has posed challenges in study design and execution. These include for example logistical challenges around coach’s schedules, procedural designs in line with typical practice structures, and participant recruitment with certain levels of expertise. In conclusion, while the conflict between internal validity in experimental design and external validity to the context being studied is not a new problem across most areas of science, we highlight the unique challenges and present potential solutions relevant to the SCAPPS audience.
