Miller and colleagues (this issue) propose a novel and inspiring theoretical framework that merges systematic and representative experimental design. As such, the Systematic Representative Design (SRD) framework has the potential to move psychological science forward in a significant way. Essential to the authors’ proposition is the default control group (DCG), an experimental condition that leverages the possibilities of new technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) in order to create a close approximation to “real-life,” but with the affordances of a tightly controlled experience. With this innovation, Miller and colleagues attempt to solve the incongruous needs, common in so many experimental designs, between generalizability (to everyday life) and experimental control (to claim causality). Although the SRD framework could potentially result in a real shift in the way psychological research is conducted, it provides far from an ‘off the shelf’ solution. In particular the use of new technologies such as VR brings with it a number of complications of both practical and theoretical nature – that are not fully addressed in the target article. With this commentary, we aim to contribute to the discussion on improving experimental design and thus empirical psychological research in general, by drawing from our experience in designing digital, game and neurofeedback based interventions for mental health and behavioral change. Furthermore, we will suggest that there are important process similarities between SRD and game design, as well as common practical pitfalls. We will outline these links and discuss their implications in order to potentially further strengthen the SRD framework, especially for applied research purposes.

中文翻译：

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减少现实的噪音

Miller 及其同事（本期）提出了一种新颖且鼓舞人心的理论框架，该框架融合了系统性和代表性的实验设计。因此，系统代表设计 (SRD) 框架有可能以重要的方式推动心理科学向前发展。作者命题的关键是默认控制组 (DCG)，这是一种利用虚拟现实 (VR) 等新技术的可能性的实验条件，以创建与“现实生活”的接近，但具有可供性严格控制的体验。通过这项创新，米勒及其同事试图解决在许多实验设计中普遍存在的不协调需求（适用于日常生活）和实验控制（声明因果关系）。尽管 SRD 框架可能会导致进行心理学研究的方式发生真正的转变，但它提供的解决方案远非“现成的”解决方案。特别是 VR 等新技术的使用带来了许多实践和理论性质的复杂性——目标文章中没有完全解决这些问题。通过这篇评论，我们的目标是通过借鉴我们在设计基于数字、游戏和神经反馈的心理健康和行为改变干预措施方面的经验，为改善实验设计的讨论做出贡献，从而促进一般的实证心理学研究。此外，我们将建议 SRD 和游戏设计之间存在重要的流程相似性，以及常见的实际陷阱。