Unit 9 Flashcards
Can you think of any benefits to using a quasi-experimental design?
Quasi-experimental designs often have more external validity than experimental designs because quasi-experimental designs are often conducted in “real” environments or situations rather than the sterile and controlled environments often associated with true- experiments carried out in laboratory.
The major difference between a true experiment in a natural setting and a quasi-experiment in a natural setting is that the:
a. quasi-experiments have greater internal validity.
b. quasi-experiments lack a control group.
c. true experiments have greater external validity.
d. none of the above
d
The most critical defining feature of a true experiment is a high degree of control over the:
a. arrangement of experimental conditions.
b. choice of the dependent variable(s).
c. systematic manipulation of the independent variable.
d. random assignments of participants to experimental and comparison conditions.
d
An argument for the internal validity of a quasi-experimental design:
a. can never be made because of the inherent threats to internal validity.
b. can always be made based on the logical analysis of the research results.
c. can only be made if a corresponding true experiment is carried out.
d. can be made if the results of the study are supported by supplemental data and logical
analysis cannot produce reasonable or likely alternative hypotheses.
d
The hallmark of a quasi-experimental design is:
a. the high levels of control over the treatment condition.
b. the random assignment of participants to conditions.
c. the lack of random assignment of participants to conditions.
d. the absence of any specific intervention or treatment.
c
If events that occur during the course of a study have a different effect on one group of participants than on another, the most likely threat to internal validity is the;
a. threat of maturation.
b. threat of history.
c. threat of regression toward the mean.
d. threat of instrumentation.
b
Most non-equivalent group designs include a pre-test, but this does not have to be the case. Which of the following studies is likely not to contain a pre-test, and why?
a. a study that is looking at the effects of tornadoes on dreams; doing a pre-test would require the accurate prediction of tornadoes.
b. a study looking at the effectiveness of a new teaching technique; a pre-test would be subject to the problem of regression toward the mean.
c. a study looking at running speed in the jungle; a pre-test is not possible because the study is a field study.
d. a study looking at how effective minor hockey coaches are at elevating self-esteem; a pre- test is not possible because it would give away the purpose of the study.
a
Which of the following represents a threat to the internal validity of a study because differences exist between individuals in the treatment and control groups at the beginning of the study?
a. selection
b. regression to the mean
c. subject mortality
d. instrumentation
a
After a record number of accidents at intersections in 1999 the city of Winnipeg decided to install red light cameras at various high-traffic intersections throughout the city. In 2002 the total number of accidents at the 25 high-traffic intersections where the red light cameras were installed declined from 356 in 1999 to 251 in 2002. A comparison group made up of another 25 high-traffic intersections showed that the number of accidents remained relatively steady, 298 in 1999 and 289 in 2002. What is the best interpretation of the data?
a. The data show a crossover pattern and thus are highly suspect.
b. The data show a crossover pattern and this suggests the installation of red light cameras
was effective.
c. The data are very susceptible to the effect of regression to the mean.
d. The data are seriously suspect because of history: the winter of 1999 had twice as much
snow as the winter of 2002.
b
Which of the following research questions would likely need to be answered using a quasi- experimental design?
a. Do certain personality characteristics lead to alcoholism?
b. Do males and females differ on their attitudes toward love?
c. Does poverty cause depression or suicide?
d. All of the above would need to be investigated using a quasi-experimental design.
d
Jill is 16 and has been extremely depressed since she broke up with her boyfriend six months previously. Her marks in school are suffering and her teachers are wondering if they should make her repeat grade 11, since they feel grade 12 will be much too difficult. They decide not to make Jill repeat and to everyone’s amazement Jill is performing like any other grade 12 student. Jill’s turnaround can be best explained by:
a. the extra work she did over the summer.
b. regression to the mean.
c. instrumentation.
d. an interaction with selection.
b
