Microcomputer as teacher/researcher in a nontraditional setting

摘要

Use of the microcomputer as a teaching and research tool in a nontraditional field setting (Museum of Medical Sciences) is described. The goal was to determine how museum visitors' reactions and preferences concerning computer-based presentation of nutrition information depended upon demographic factors. The computer presented automated treatments to approximately 5000 users, controlled maximum item-presentation durations, randomized presentation orders, monitored and recorded responses, and randomly saved responses from 936 users. The program's potential to change nutrition behavior depended upon the age and race of the user. Nutrition topic preferences depended upon age, race, and sex. Results illustrate the unique capacity of the microcomputer to simultaneously assume the dual roles of effective teacher and unobtrusive researcher while impacting thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds and ethnic origins. Microcomputers can facilitate programmatic research, systematic replication and extension, measurement, experimental control, treatment administration and economy in natural field settings, consequently expanding the research options available to behavioral scientists.