Evaluating Operational Definitions Alyssa is studying the effectiveness of a new method of strength training.
If she measures the experimental group before "happy hour" and the control
Group after "happy hour," her results would be confounded by a ____ threat.
A)history
B)maturation
C)selection
D)testing

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The threat of history refers to events or changes that occur during the study that could affect the outcomes in one group differently than the other. In this case, "happy hour" could be considered a historical event that could affect the control group differently than the experimental group, thus confounding the results. Maturation refers to changes that occur naturally over time that affect both groups equally. Selection refers to bias in the selection of participants, and testing refers to the effect of the pretest on subsequent measurement. None of these threats are as applicable in this scenario as the threat of history.

Evaluating Operational Definitions Alyssa Is Studying the Effectiveness of a New