Sebastian and Hernandez-Gil (2012) - AO3

• How is the large sample size a strength?

  570 Spanish children aged from 5 years to 17 years were obtained from a range of different schools in Madrid. This is a strength because the findings about the development of digit spans are representative of children across the Spanish education system increasing generalisability.
• How is the fact that the sample are all from Madrid a weakness?

  All the participants were from Madrid and where screened for hearing disorders, reading or writing difficulties. This is a weakness because the results may not be applicable for children in other areas of Spain or children who have impairments.
• How is a standardized procedure a strength?

  All the 5 groups were able to get the same experience of the study. However, to make the environment more similar to real life the environment was like a classroom. Each group had a slightly different format of touching which made it more applicable to them. They broke the study into smaller chunks for younger children. This is a strength because it makes the results more reliable.
• How is it being an artificial memory test a weakness?

  Used the task of remembering sequences of random digits measure phonological loop capacity. This is not representative of how we ordinarily use our memories in everyday life. This is a weakness because the digit span tasks in the study may be viewed as an artificial test of memory therefore lowering the ecological validity.
• How is this study applicable to psychology in society?

  The findings can help understand the development of the phonological loop in children. This is a strength because it can benefit teachers to assist children who may find rehearsal or spoken information difficult, they may be able to help improve memory in other ways.
• What is the main ethical issue with this study?

  The study highlighted some issues around protection of vulnerable participants including children and patients with dementia whilst completing the digit span tasks. This is a weakness because the participants may not fully understand the purpose of the testing and may feel they are not doing well on recalling the digits. This challenges responsibility