Week 6 - Experimental part 2

Question 1

describe the elements of the research procedure

Answer 1

Choose research design
Obtain institutional approval
Choose apparatus/instruments to measure
Pilot study if needed
Carry out experiment
  -scheduling participants
  -informed consent
  -instructions
  -debriefing after experiment.

Question 2

explain how quasi-experimental designs differ from weak and strong experimental designs, and describe the characteristics of each of the quasi-experimental designs

Answer 2

Quasi experiments - experimental procedures but not all extraneous variables are controlled. Typically lack random assignment.

Non-equivalent comparison group design - (Most common QE) Exp. and control group with no random assignment.

Time series design - Tmt. effect is assessed by comparing the pattern of pre and post test scores for a single group

Regression-discontinuity design - Assigns participants to groups based on their scores on an assignment variable.

Question 3

describe the different types of single-case designs.

Answer 3

ABA and ABAB design - A refers to baseline measurement, B refers to tmt. (ie: ABA=measurement>treatment>measurement)

Interaction design - tests the combined effects of two tmts.

Multiple-baseline design - like ABA but only select participants used when history threat is suspected.

Changing-criterion design - set criteria to be met and add tmt, when criteria met, criteria 2 introduced etc.