Question 1

It is most accurate to say that

Accepted Answer

Quasi-experiments can sometimes be used to draw inferences about causal relationships among variables, although they may have some threats to internal validity. The other options are inaccurate: A is incorrect as valid conclusions can still be drawn from quasi-experimental research, B is incorrect as true experiments generally have higher internal validity, and D is incorrect as quasi-experiments are still scientific research designs.

Question 2

Which of the following represents an example of regression to the mean?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following represents an example...

Question 3

Regression to the mean causes interpretive difficulties when

Accepted Answer

Regression to the mean occurs when extreme scores on a measure tend to move closer to the population mean on subsequent measures. This natural phenomenon can cause interpretive difficulties when there is not initial equivalence between groups, as differences in pretest scores may be attributed to differences in treatment or intervention when in fact they are merely a result of regression to the mean. The other choices (attrition, history, and retesting) may also affect data interpretation, but they are not specifically related to regression to the mean.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a single-group research design?

Accepted Answer

A single-group research design only involves one group of participants or subjects. In this case, only option D involves a single group of participants (patients in a mental health facility) without any comparison to another group. Options A and B involve comparing depressed patients to non-depressed patients or assessing the same group of depressed patients before and after an intervention, respectively. Option C only involves interviewing one individual (the head of a mental health facility) and is not a study involving a group of participants.

Question 5

An experimental design in which the dependent measure is assessed for one or more groups of individuals more than twice, at regular intervals, both before and after the experience of interest occurs is called a

Accepted Answer

A time-series design is specifically designed to assess a dependent measure multiple times before and after the experience of interest. This type of design allows for the assessment of trends or patterns in the dependent measure over time and can provide insight into the effectiveness of an intervention or treatment. The other choices do not specifically involve repeated measures before and after an intervention.

Question 6

A study of parenting styles across generations samples groups of participants at ages five, fifteen, and twenty at the same time.Which of the following terms best describes this design?

Accepted Answer

This study design is cross-sectional because it examines different age groups at one point in time, rather than following the same group over a period of time.

Question 7

In comparison to the single-group before-after design, the comparison-group before-after design

Accepted Answer

The comparison-group before-after design helps control for threats caused by history, which refers to external events that occur during the study that could affect the results. The single-group before-after design does not have a comparison group, so controlling for threats caused by history is not possible. The comparison-group before-after design may still be threatened by regression to the mean and maturation, but these threats can be controlled for using other methods. The number of participants needed for both designs may vary depending on the study design and variables being measured.

Question 8

A design in which behavior is initially measured during a baseline period, and then measured again after the intervention of interest begins, is called a

Accepted Answer

The answer of A design in which behavior is initially...

Question 9

An advantage of a single-participant design is that

Accepted Answer

A single-participant design allows for the observation of behavior changes over time as the participant serves as their own control group. This is a major advantage of the design. While confounding may be reduced compared to some other designs, there is still the possibility of confounding factors affecting the results. Demand characteristics may or may not be reduced, depending on the specifics of the study. Alpha levels should not be higher than in experimental designs – in fact, they should be set at the same level (usually .05) to ensure appropriate statistical significance.

Question 10

A researcher studies the cognitive development of children by measuring kindergarten, fourth grade, and seventh grade children.Which type of design is being used?

Accepted Answer

The researcher is studying different age groups at one point in time, which is characteristic of a cross-sectional design. This approach allows for the comparison of different age groups without following the same individuals over time.

Question 11

A flight instructor notices a particularly unusual phenomenon.Every time one of her students has a particularly excellent flight, she praises them for it.And she notices that the next time the student flies, he or she ends up doing worse.On the other hand, every time one of her students has a particularly poor flight, she criticizes them, and the next time they do better.What phenomenon might the instructor be seeing?

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon the instructor may be seeing is regression to the mean. This is a statistical phenomenon where extreme scores (in this case, either particularly excellent or particularly poor flights) tend to move back towards the average score over time. When the instructor praises the student for an excellent flight, it may be that the student was simply having a good day and their performance will likely be closer to average on their next flight. Similarly, when the instructor criticizes the student for a poor flight, it may be that the student was simply having an off day and their performance will likely be closer to average on their next flight.

Question 12

A student gets a 99 out of 100 on her first quiz in a psychology class, but gets only a 91 on the next quiz.This is a likely example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Regression to the mean suggests that extreme scores tend to move toward the average on subsequent measurements. In this case, the 99 score on the first quiz is likely an extreme score, and the 91 score on the next quiz represents a regression toward the class average.

Question 13

Which of the following is least likely to be a threat to validity in a single-group before-after design?

Accepted Answer

Selection is least likely to be a threat in a single-group before-after design because there is no comparison group from which participants are selected differently. This design involves observing the same group of participants before and after an intervention, so selection bias related to forming comparison groups does not apply.

Question 14

Which of the following could not represent a participant variable?

Accepted Answer

A participant variable is a characteristic of the individual being studied that cannot be manipulated by the researcher. Parenting style, years of education, and spatial ability are all participant variables. However, manipulated mood state is not a participant variable because it is something that can be controlled by the researcher. It would be considered a manipulated variable or independent variable.

Question 15

Which of the following is true regarding the participant-variable design?

Accepted Answer

The participant-variable design involves using a pre-existing participant variable and measuring its effect on the dependent variable, rather than manipulating it. Therefore, causal conclusions are difficult to draw as other variables may be affecting the relationship between the participant variable and the dependent variable.

Question 16

A researcher is unable to retest some of his participants in a before-after design because they have dropped out of the program.This is an example of a(n) ________threat.

Accepted Answer

Attrition refers to the loss of participants during a study, which can create bias in the results if those who drop out differ systematically from those who continue in the program. In this case, the researcher is unable to retest some of the participants, which may bias the results if those who dropped out differ in some way from those who remained in the program. Retesting, maturation, and confounding threats are not relevant to this situation.

Question 17

A study that assesses how a patient with a leg fracture responds to a new physical therapy program is an example of a

Accepted Answer

A study that assesses how a single patient responds to a new physical therapy program is an example of a single-participant design, also known as a single-subject design. This type of design is often used in clinical and therapeutic settings to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for individual patients.

Question 18

A design in which behavior is initially measured during a baseline period, measured again after the intervention of interest begins, and then measured once more after the intervention is removed is called a

Accepted Answer

A design in which behavior is initially measured during a baseline period, measured again after the intervention of interest begins, and then measured once more after the intervention is removed is called a reversal design. Choice B (time-series design) typically involves multiple measurements over time without removal or manipulation of an intervention. Choice C (cross-sectional design) involves comparing groups at a single point in time. Choice D (before-after design) involves measuring behavior before and after intervention but does not involve a removal of the intervention.

Question 19

Time-series designs

Accepted Answer

Time-series designs involve repeated measurements over time, allowing for the analysis of trends and changes. Therefore, it is essential to have multiple measurements to establish a pattern of changes. The design does not necessarily require multiple control groups or large sample sizes, and it may measure events taking place in a short time after an initial event or over a more extended period.

Question 20

A limitation of program evaluation research is its

Accepted Answer

Random assignment to conditions is important for establishing causality and determining the effectiveness of a program. Limitations such as inability to include large numbers of participants or study events while they are taking place can be addressed through other research designs or methods. The statement that program evaluation research is unable to determine program effectiveness is incorrect, as this is precisely the purpose of program evaluation research.

Quiz 14: Quasi-Experimental Research Designs