A researcher introduces a new mathematics program in one school district and uses a neighboring district as a no-treatment control group.After the program is in place for six months,the researcher intends to give the students in both districts a standardized mathematics test and then compare their scores.This research cannot be classified as a true experiment because ____.
A)the treatment is administered to only one group.
B)there is no pretest to determine mathematics ability before the program
C)the researcher does not control the assignment of participants to groups
D)it is not conducted in a laboratory

Question

A researcher introduces a new mathematics program in one school district and uses a neighboring district as a no-treatment control group.After the program is in place for six months,the researcher intends to give the students in both districts a standardized mathematics test and then compare their scores.This research cannot be classified as a true experiment because ____.
A)​the treatment is administered to only one group.
B)​there is no pretest to determine mathematics ability before the program
C)the researcher does not control the assignment of participants to groups
D)​it is not conducted in a laboratory

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A true experiment requires the researcher to randomly assign participants to treatment and control groups in order to control for extraneous variables. In this case, the researcher is not controlling the assignment of participants to groups, so it cannot be classified as a true experiment. Choice A is incorrect because the treatment is being administered to one group (the district with the new mathematics program). Choice B is not a requirement for a true experiment, although it can be useful. Choice D is also not a requirement for a true experiment.

A Researcher Introduces a New Mathematics Program in One School