What is a potential criticism of the methodology used in Andrade's research regarding participant fatigue?

• A. Participants were too alert during tasks
• B. Participants were distracted by their surroundings
• C. Participants worked while a little fatigued
• D. Participants were overly prepared for the tasks

Answer: (C)

The chosen answer highlights a valid concern regarding the experimental design and the potential impact of participant fatigue on the results. In research, fatigue can significantly affect performance, especially in tasks that require sustained attention or cognitive effort. If participants are somewhat fatigued, they may not fully engage with the doodling tasks or the subsequent recall tests, which could lead to results that do not accurately reflect their true cognitive abilities or the effects of doodling on memory retention.

Recognizing fatigue as a factor is crucial because it may influence the reliability and validity of the data collected. If participants are depleted in their mental energy, their performance could be compromised, suggesting that the results might not solely be attributed to the effects of doodling but rather to the state of fatigue they experienced during the study.

This concern is particularly relevant in studies where attention and cognitive load are being assessed, as any variance in these factors due to participant fatigue could confound the findings. Therefore, addressing participant fatigue is essential for ensuring that any conclusions drawn about the benefits or drawbacks of doodling are accurate and meaningful.