The assumptions of the ecological research are presented, with the objective of characterizing the ecological research and its differentiation from nonecological research. These assumptions are shared by several authors, in spite of their divergences in the analysis of man-environment relationship (such as the ones on focused dimensions, methodology and theory). A brief view of the introduction of ecological ideas into psychology is given. Two criteria connected to the shared assumptions are useful to distinguish ecological and nonecological research. Our experience in carrying out contextual research on the relationship between spatial arrangement and the use of space by children in day care centers is used to illustrate many of the focused aspects; three groups of additional contextual variables are briefly presented, which are studied to examine their influence on spatial distribution. Some methodological challenges in contextual research are presented.
environmental psychology; spatial arrangement; ecological approach; day care center
