Chapter 10

Question 1

What is an inference?

Answer 1

A conclusion that can be logically drawn in light of research and findings.

Question 2

What is a causal inference?

Answer 2

One derived from research and findings that logically imply that the independent variable really has a casual impact on the dependent variable.

Question 3

What does the term research design refer to?

Answer 3

All the decisions made in planning and conducting research.

Question 4

What decisions does research design include? (4)

Answer 4

1. Measurement
2. Sampling
3. How to collect data
4. Logical arrangements designed to permit certain kinds of inferences

Question 5

What are the 3 basic criteria for the determination of causation in scientific research ?

Answer 5

1. The independent (cause) and dependent (effect) variables must be empirically related to each other
2. The independent variable must occur earlier in time than the dependent variable
3. The observed relationship between these two variables cannot be explained away as being due to the influence of some third variable that causes both of them

Question 6

What does internal validity refer to?

Answer 6

The confidence we have that the results of a study accurately depict whether one variable is or is not a cause of another.

Question 7

What are some common threats to internal validity? (7)

Answer 7

1. History
2. Maturation
3. Testing
4. Instrumentation changes
5. Statistical regression
6. Selection bias
7. Causal time order

Question 8

What are 3 forms of pre-experimentation pilot studies?

Answer 8

1. One-shot case study
2. One-group pretest-posttest design
3. The posttest-only design with non-equivalent groups

Question 9

True or false: Experiments are an excellent vehicle for the controlled testing of causal processes?

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What does the classical experiment test?

Answer 10

The effect of an experimental stimulus on some dependent variable through the pretesting and posttesting of experimental and control groups.

Question 11

What do the Solomon four-group design and posttest only control group design have in common?

Answer 11

They are variations on the classical experiment that attempt to safeguard against problems associated with testing effects.

Question 12

What is the generally preferred method for achieving comparability in the experimental and control groups?

Answer 12

Randomization

Question 13

Which one is less important?
A) that a group of experimental subjects be representative of some larger population
B) that experimental and control groups be similar to one another

Answer 13

A)

Question 14

Control group participants in experiments need not be denied services. They can receive ____, ____ services, or be put on a ___ list to receive the experimental intervention.

Answer 14

alternate, routine; waiting

Question 15

Although the classical experiment with random assignment of subjects guards against most threats to internal validity, additional methodological efforts may be needed to prevent or alleviate the following problems: (7)

Answer 15

1. measurement bias
2. research reactivity
3. diffusion or imitation of treatments
4. compensatory equalization
5. compensatory rivalry
6. resentful demoralization
7. attrition

Question 16

What are some techniques for minimizing attrition? (3)

Answer 16

1. Reimbursing participants for their participation
2. Avoiding intervention or research procedures that disappoint or frustrate participants
3. Tracking participants

Question 17

What do many experimental studies fail to include?

Answer 17

Measurement procedures, such as blind raters, to control for researcher or practitioner bias toward perceiving results that would confirm the hypothesis.

Question 18

Experimental demand characteristics and experimental expectancies can do the following:

Answer 18

Hinder the validity of experimental findings if they influence research participants to cooperate with what experimenters want them to say or do.

Question 19

When does obtrusive observation occurs?

Answer 19

When the participant is keenly aware of being observed and thus may be predisposed to behave in ways that meet experimenter expectancies. In contrast, unobstrusive observation means that the participant does not notice the observation.

Question 20

What does external validity refer to?

Answer 20

The extent to which we can generalize the findings of a study to settings and populations beyond the study conditions.