A Driving Simulator Experiment to Teach Experimental Design in an Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Course

In recent years, there has been increased interest in developing undergraduate research experiences that conduct novel scientific research during normal course time. The present study provided students in a psychology research methods course with a hands-on laboratory experience to study effects of alcohol intoxication goggles on behavioral measures related to driving. In the laboratory portion of class over 3 consecutive semesters, 83 students completed field sobriety tests and driving simulator trials under 4 visual impairment conditions: no goggles (–BAC), clear goggles (0.00 BAC), Fatal Vision White Label goggles (< 0.06 BAC), and Fatal Vision Black Label goggles (≥ 0.25 BAC). Students experienced 1 condition each week for 4 weeks, and then the initial condition was repeated on the 5th week to allow for an evaluation of common threats to internal validity. Condition order was counterbalanced across randomized groups of students. Students generally engaged in the experience at high rates, submitted projects that indicated a good understanding of psychology research design, and indicated that the research experience was acceptable. Alcohol intoxication goggles systematically increased the time required to complete the field sobriety tests, F(2.1, 166.3) = 141.4, p < .001, partial η² = .63, and the number of steps taken off of the line in field sobriety tests, F(1.8, 144.8) = 85.5, p < .001, partial η² = .52, as a function of the simulated BAC imposed by the goggles. The goggles did not affect driving simulator performance. The class-wide laboratory experience contributed novel findings about visual impairment by alcohol intoxication goggles on different driving-related behavioral tasks. It also provides a method to incorporate hands-on research experiences as a regular part of an undergraduate psychology research methods course and furthers understanding of the utility of alcohol intoxication goggles in laboratory research.