An experimental researcher working with chronic adult offenders uses a ten-item inventory as a pre-test. He uses the very same ten-item inventory as a post-test. The time frame between the pre-test and post-test was less than a week. What type of threat to the internal validity of this experiment's results is this problem?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using the same inventory as both a pre-test and post-test makes it possible that participants may perform better on the post-test simply because of the practice effect of taking the test twice (testing threat). This could lead to an overestimation of treatment effectiveness and threaten internal validity.

An Experimental Researcher Working with Chronic Adult Offenders Uses a Ten-Item