Dataset for: DataVirtual Reality Environment for the Teaching of Experimental Behavior Analysis

This dataset contains the raw data, psychometric instruments, and analysis code used in the study "Virtual Reality Environment for the Teaching of Experimental Behavior Analysis" One of the main challenges faced by researchers, educators, and students interested in the experimental analysis of behavior is the high cost of experimental equipment and the limited availability of infrastructure, such as vivariums and animal behavior laboratories. Virtual reality allows users to experience three-dimensional environments generated by computers, which may or may not resemble the external world, offering new opportunities for teaching experimental behavior analysis. In this context, the Behavior Analysis VR Learning Hub was developed. This platform offers a gamified virtual journey through a vivarium, the historical development of the operant conditioning chamber, and simple reinforcement schedules, all from the perspective of a rat. Its design was based on technical datasheets of commercial equipment, historical photographs of devices across different periods, and diagrams described by Skinner (1956) in A Case History in Scientific Method. The 3D models were created using Rhinoceros 3D software, and the environment was programmed in Unity with the support of the Spatial Creator Toolkit. The platform is compatible with web browsers, mobile devices, and virtual reality headsets. The usability of the platform and its effectiveness in teaching concepts related to experimental behavior analysis were evaluated with a total of 54 undergraduate psychology students from Estado de México and Sonora. Participants completed a pretest and posttest focused on the platform’s content, as well as questionnaires assessing their prior contact with behavior analysis and their user experience. Results showed a statistically significant increase in posttest scores, regardless of participants’ prior familiarity with behavior analysis. Additionally, there was a general trend of positive acceptance regarding usability and user experience. However, lower levels of acceptance were observed among participants from Estado de México in terms of pleasantness, ease of use, and clarity of navigation. The possibility of implementing improvements in a second version is discussed, such as including a navigation training phase and ensuring the permanence of informational points. Despite these limitations, the platform is considered a valuable educational tool for introducing students to the history and management of experimental equipment used in animal behavior laboratories, helping to bridge the gap in practical experience that currently exists in this field of training. https://doi.org/10.32870/ac.v33i4.88750