Chapter 11

Question 1

When random assignment to experimental and control groups isn’t possible, a ___ ___ ___ design can be used, in which the experimental group is compared to an existing group that appears similar to it.

Answer 1

nonequivalent comparison groups

Question 2

What are some ways to strengthen the internal validity of nonequivalent comparison groups designs? (3)

Answer 2

1. Selecting a comparison group as similar as possible to the experimental group
2. Administering multiple pretests
3. Switching replications

Question 3

___-___ designs can be used as an alternative to the nonequivalent comparison groups design.

Answer 3

Time-series

Question 4

Time-series designs attempt to attain ___ ___ through the use of repeated measures before and after the introduction of an intervention.

Answer 4

internal validity

Question 5

True or false: Cross-sectional studies are those based on observations made at one time.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

The ___-___ design compares groups of cases that have had contrasting outcomes and then collects retrospective data about past differences that might explain the difference in outcomes.

Answer 6

case-control

Question 7

What is a common limitation in case-control designs?

Answer 7

recall bias

Question 8

What is recall bias?

Answer 8

When a person’s current recollections of the quality and and value of past experiences are tainted by knowing that things did or did not work out later for them in life.

Question 9

Despite not being able to control for all threats to internal validity, cross-sectional and case-control studies can strengthen the plausibility of the notion that relationships they find are explanatory in nature by employing ___ ___ ___.

Answer 9

multivariate statistical controls

Question 10

Many practical pitfalls are likely to be encountered in attempting to implement experiments or quasi-experiments in service-oriented agencies. These pitfalls may ___ the fidelity of the interventions being evaluated, ___ the control condition or the case assignment protocol, or ___ client recruitment and retention.

Answer 10

compromise; contaminate; hinder

Question 11

One way to detect and alleviate pitfalls is by conducting a ___ ___ of your experiment or quasi-experiment before implementing it in full

Answer 11

pilot study

Question 12

What is a good way to assess intervention fidelity?

Answer 12

Videotape several randomly selected treatment sessions from each of your practitioners. Have two experts in the intervention independently view each taped session and then complete a rating scale assessing their judgment of the degree to which the intervention in the session was implemented appropriately.

Question 13

True or false: The inclusion of various qualitative research methods as a part of an experiment does not aid in detecting and alleviating many of the pitfall problems

Answer 13

False (inclusion does aid detection and alleviation)