Criteria of the peer-review process for publication of experimental and quasi-experimental research in Psychology

Experimental research in Psychology is characterized by ensuring a method that guarantees objectivity, reliability, validity and replication of results. In this theoretical study we have elaborated a set of criteria for the preparation and review of quasiexperimental and experimental research manuscripts, which follows such methodological objective dictates. These criteria are based on a review of structural aspects in experimental research, in the modern theory of psychological theorization, and in the validity theory of scientific research. All these aspects are complemented with those proposed in revisions about empirically-based, and statistically-based peer-review systems. We distinguish between essential, obligatory, and complementary criteria. These criteria are organized according to a measuring tool –the ExperimenCheck system-, including report characteristics, antecedents, theoretical development, design, analysis and interpretation of results, format and bibliographical sources. We also introduce the general guidelines of a reviewing process that fulfils scientific criteria, using the proposed evaluative guideline as the main organizing principle.La investigación experimental en Psicología se rige por un método que garantiza la objetividad, la fiabilidad, la validez y la reproducción de los resultados. En este estudio teórico se proponen un conjunto de criterios para la preparación y revisión de manuscritos de investigación experimental y cuasi-experimental que sigue precisamente tales dictados metodológicos de objetividad. Tales criterios se basan en una revisión de los aspectos estructurales propios de la metodología de investigación experimental y la teoría moderna de teorización psicológica, así como en la teoría de validez. Dichos aspectos se complementaron además con lo que se ha publicado sobre el propio proceso de revisión, tanto desde el punto de vista empírico como estadísticometodológico. Se distingue entre criterios básicos, obligatorios, y criterios complementarios. Los criterios se organizan según el sistema ExperimenCheck, un instrumento de medida que abarca las características del informe, los antecedentes, el desarrollo teórico, el diseño, análisis e interpretación de resultados, formato y fuentes documentales. Se presentan también las directrices generales de un proceso de revisión basado en dicho sistema de evaluación.A investigação experimental em Psicologia rege-se por um método que garante a objectividade, a fidelidade, a validade e a reprodução dos resultados. Neste estudo teórico propõe-se um conjunto de critérios para a preparação e revisão de manuscritos de investigação experimental e quase-experimental que segue precisamente tais critérios metodológicos de objectividade. Tais critérios baseiam-se numa revisão dos aspectos estruturais próprios da metodologia de investigação experimental e a teoria moderna de teorização psicológica, assim como na teoria da validade. Tais aspectos completam o que se publicou sobre o próprio processo de revisão tanto do ponto de vista empírico como estatístico-metodologico. Distingue-se entre critérios básicos, obrigatórios, e critérios complementares. Os critérios organizam-se segundo o sistema Experimen Check, um instrumento de medida que abarca as características do relatório, os antecedentes, o desenvolvimento teórico, o plano, a análise e a interpretação de resultados, formato e fontes documentais. Apresentam-se também as directrizes gerais de um processo de revisão baseado no dito sistema de avaliação

So far so good: emotion in the peripersonal/extrapersonal space

Current accounts of spatial cognition and human-object interaction suggest that the representation of peripersonal space depends on an action-specific system that remaps its representation according to action requirements. Here we demonstrate that this mechanism is sensitive to knowledge about properties of objects. In two experiments we explored the interaction between physical distance and object attributes (functionality, desirability, graspability, etc.) through a reaching estimation task in which participants indicated if objects were near enough to be reached. Using both a real and a cutting-edge digital scenario, we demonstrate that perceived reaching distance is influenced by ease of grasp and the affective valence of an object. Objects with a positive affective valence tend to be perceived reachable at locations at which neutral or negative objects are perceived as non-reachable. In addition to this, reaction time to distant (non-reachable) positive objects suggests a bias to perceive positive objects as closer than negative and neutral objects (exp. 2). These results highlight the importance of the affective valence of objects in the action-specific mapping of the peripersonal/ extrapersonal space system.This work was financially supported by a grant from the Comunidad de Madrid and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (CCG10-UC/SAL-5370) awarded to BVC, and by two grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of Spain awarded to JAH (PSI2009-08607) and to FJR (FPI: PSI2010-20364)

Multiple routes to mental animation: Language and functional relations drive motion processing for static images

When looking at static visual images, people often exhibit mental animation, anticipating visual events that have not yet happened. But what determines when mental animation occurs? Measuring mental animation using localized brain function (visual motion processing; area MT+), we demonstrate that animating static pictures of objects is dependent both on the functionally-relevant spatial arrangement objects have with one another (e.g. a bottle above a glass versus a glass above a bottle), and the linguistic judgment to be made about those objects (e.g. Is the bottle above the glass? versus Is the bottle bigger than the glass?). Furthermore, we show that mental animation is driven by functional relations and language separately in the right hemisphere, but in interaction in the left brain. Mental animation is not a unitary construct; the predictions humans make about the visual world are driven flexibly, with hemispheric asymmetry in the routes to MT+ activation

Mean Reaction time and SD of experimental conditions of Experiment 2b.

<p>Mean Reaction time and SD of experimental conditions of Experiment 2b.</p

Mean misestimates ratios and Standard deviations (<i>SD</i>) obtained in Experiment 1.

<p>Mean misestimates ratios and Standard deviations (<i>SD</i>) obtained in Experiment 1.</p

Mean scores (<i>SD</i>) obtained for all objects employed in Experiment 1 for the three categories rated.

<p>Mean scores (<i>SD</i>) obtained for all objects employed in Experiment 1 for the three categories rated.</p

Digital scenario setup: a) example of stimulus positives, negatives and neutrals, b) example of trial and positions the 9 positions being 1 the nearest and 9 the furthest, c) example of reaching distances (RD) measured on the tactile surface.

<p>The Person shown here has given written informed consent (as outlined in the PLoS consent form) for publication of their photograph.</p

Real Scenario setup: a) example of object presentation (functional/no-functional orientation for a right-handed participant), b) procedure used to measure perceived distance (left) and reaching distance (right).

<p>Real Scenario setup: a) example of object presentation (functional/no-functional orientation for a right-handed participant), b) procedure used to measure perceived distance (left) and reaching distance (right).</p

Mean percentage of correct “yes” responses in region I, percentage of correct “no” responses in region III, and percentage of correct “yes” and “no” responses to region II.

<p>Mean percentage of correct “yes” responses in region I, percentage of correct “no” responses in region III, and percentage of correct “yes” and “no” responses to region II.</p