Paradigm (experimental)

Cooperative pulling paradigm

...with dogs

...with birds

...with otters

...with keas

In the behavioural sciences (e.g. psychology, biology, neurosciences), an experimental paradigm, is an experimental setup or way of conducting a certain type of experiment (a protocol) that is defined by certain fine-tuned standards, and often has a theoretical background. A paradigm in this technical sense, however, is not a way of thinking as it is in the epistemological meaning (paradigm).

The more paradigms which are attempted, and the more variables within a single paradigm are attempted, with the same results, the more sure one is of the results, that, "the effect is a true one and not merely a product of artifacts engendered by the use of a particular paradigm." The three core factors of paradigm design may be considered: "(a) ...the 'nuts and bolts' of the paradigm itself...; (b) ...implementation concerns...; and (c) resources available."

For example, the stop-signal paradigm, "is a popular experimental paradigm to study response inhibition." The cooperative pulling paradigm is used to study cooperation. The weather prediction test is a paradigm used to study procedural learning. Other examples include Skinner boxes, rat mazes, and trajectory mapping.

• Glossary of experimental design
• Randomized controlled trial

• (2013) "Figure 1: Experimental paradigm" example, Nature.com.
• "Discovering Optimal Training Policies: A New Experimental Paradigm" .PPT, SlideServe.com.