Question 1

Dr. Smith was interested in whether there would be a reduction in the number of crimes in the central city once closed-circuit cameras went up and were monitored by police. To accomplish this study, Dr. Smith looked at the police records for the four-square-block area where the cameras were installed each week for six months. Dr. Smith was using what method?
A) cohort design
B) time-series design
C) classical experiment
D) quasi-experimental design

Accepted Answer

Dr. Smith was using a time-series design, which involves looking at data over time to see if there are any changes or trends. The study does not fit the criteria of a cohort design, classical experiment or quasi-experimental design.

Question 2

To assess the impact of child abuse upon later criminality, Dr. Rose chose to select some adults whose names appeared as child abuse victims in local police records and another group of adults who were not victims of abuse. What technique is being employed?
A) cohort design
B) classical experiment
C) double-blind experiment
D) nonequivalent-group design

Accepted Answer

Dr. Rose is using a nonequivalent-group design because she is comparing groups that were not created through random assignment. The groups (abuse victims and non-victims) pre-exist and are chosen based on their characteristics, making it impossible to control for all confounding variables as in a classical experiment.

Question 3

Which is accurate concerning the interrupted time-series design?
A) some event stops or interrupts the research
B) control group subjects are often envious of the attention the experimental group subjects get and interrupt the study
C) makes a long series of observations before and after introducing the experimental treatment
D) none of the above are accurate

Accepted Answer

The interrupted time-series design involves making a long series of observations before and after introducing the experimental treatment. This allows for comparison of trends in the dependent variable before and after the intervention, and provides evidence for or against the effectiveness of the treatment. Answer A is incorrect because the research is not stopped, but rather interrupted by the introduction of the experimental treatment. Answer B is incorrect because the interrupted time-series design typically does not involve a control group.

Question 4

What process is accomplished by assigning the odd-numbered subjects to the experimental group and the even-numbered subjects to the control group?
A) basic scientific theory
B) independent relation
C) false positive evaluation
D) random assignment

Accepted Answer

This process is called random assignment, as it ensures that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to either group and helps control for individual differences or confounding variables in the study. Assigning participants based on odd- or even-numbered subjects would not be considered a valid method of ensuring randomness.

Question 5

When neither the subjects nor the researcher can identify which group is the control group and which is the experimental group, the design is said to be:
A) cross-sectional
B) double-blind
C) a blind experiment
D) of no value

Accepted Answer

A double-blind design is used to eliminate potential biases and increase the validity of the results by ensuring neither the subjects nor the researcher knows which group is the control group and which is the experimental group. This helps prevent unintentional manipulation of the data and increases the accuracy of the findings.

Question 6

The classical experiment makes it possible to satisfy the criterion for cause in two ways. First, the posttest measures for the experimental group (stimulus present) are compared with those for the:
A) control group (stimulus not present)
B) random group (stimulus not present)
C) variable group (stimulus not present)
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The classical experiment involves comparing an experimental group, where the stimulus is present, with a control group, where the stimulus is not present, to determine the effect of the stimulus. This comparison satisfies the criterion for cause by showing whether the presence of the stimulus leads to a difference in outcomes.

Question 7

In social scientific experiments, as in medical experiments, the danger of experimenter bias is further reduced to the extent that the operational definitions of the dependent variables are:
A) clear and precise
B) controlled
C) tested and retested
D) scientifically proven

Accepted Answer

Clear and precise operational definitions of dependent variables help reduce experimenter bias by providing a standardized and objective way of measuring the variable being studied. This reduces the potential for subjective interpretation or manipulation by the experimenter, leading to more reliable and valid results. Controlled, tested and retested, and scientifically proven definitions may also be important, but clear and precise definitions are essential for minimizing experimenter bias.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true?
A) nonequivalent-groups and time-series designs are two general types of quasi-experiments
B) experiments and time-series designs are two general types of quasi-experiments
C) all research purposes are amenable to the use of experimental designs
D) all of the above are true

Accepted Answer

Nonequivalent-groups and time-series designs are two common types of quasi-experiments, whereas experiments are a type of experimental design. Option C is not true, as some research questions cannot be ethically or practically investigated using experimental designs. Option D is incorrect as not all options are true.

Question 9

What technique can be used to help reduce the threat to experimental mortality?
A) increasing the sample size
B) decreasing the sample size
C) shorten the time between the pretest and the posttest
D) select only subjects who are female

Accepted Answer

The answer of What technique can be used to help...

Question 10

If randomization is not possible, what should the researcher do?
A) pre- and posttest
B) use the classical design
C) consider using a quasi-experimental design
D) randomization is always possible

Accepted Answer

If randomization is not possible, the researcher should consider using a quasi-experimental design. This type of design does not involve random assignment but still allows for the comparison of groups. However, it is important to note that quasi-experimental designs have limitations in terms of establishing causality, so alternative explanations for observed differences between groups should be carefully considered. Pre- and posttest designs are another option, but may not control for extraneous variables as well as a quasi-experimental design. Using the classical design may also not be appropriate if randomization is not possible.

Question 11

What can help rule out the threats to internal validity in an experimental design?
A) proper selection and assignment of subjects to groups
B) large sample size
C) small sample size
D) nothing can rule out threats to internal validity

Accepted Answer

Proper selection and assignment of subjects to groups can help to minimize or rule out threats to internal validity, such as selection bias or differential assignment to groups. Larger sample sizes can also help, but they are not the best choice in this case as they do not directly address threats to internal validity. On the other hand, small sample sizes can increase the risk of threats to internal validity. Finally, nothing can fully rule out threats to internal validity as they are inherent to any experimental design.

Question 12

A questionnaire is sent to 1,000 police departments in Florida and gathers information on the number of sick days officers use after being involved in a shooting incident. This is an example of what type of research?
A) variable-oriented research
B) case-oriented research
C) experimental design
D) cohort design

Accepted Answer

This is an example of case-oriented research because it focuses on a specific case (police shootings) and collects data from multiple sources (police departments in Florida) to gain a deeper understanding of the issue. Variable-oriented research would focus on analyzing relationships between different variables (such as the number of sick days and other factors), experimental design would involve manipulating variables and controlling for confounding factors, and cohort design would involve following a specific group of individuals over time to observe changes in their behavior or health.

Question 13

An interrupted time-series design can be very useful in what type of research?
A) applied research
B) exploratory research
C) descriptive research
D) double-blind research

Accepted Answer

Interrupted time-series designs are typically used in applied research where an intervention (such as a policy change or treatment) is implemented and the effects of the intervention are examined by comparing pre-intervention data to post-intervention data.

Question 14

What type of design is illustrated in the following diagram? Experimental Group 0 X 0
Control Group 0 0
Measurement time1 time2 time3
A) time-series design
B) classical experiment
C) cohort design
D) nonequivalent-groups design

Accepted Answer

The design illustrated in the diagram is a classical experiment, where one group (experimental group) receives a treatment (represented by X) and the other group (control group) does not receive the treatment. The measurements are taken at multiple time points to assess the effects of the treatment.

Question 15

In criminal justice experiments, what serves as a guard against the effects of the experiments themselves as well as events that may occur outside the laboratory during the course of experiments?
A) variable groups
B) control groups
C) administrative groups
D) posttest groups

Accepted Answer

Control groups are the standard against which experimental results are compared. They are used to test the effect of a treatment or intervention and serve as a guard against the effects of the experiment itself and extraneous variables that may occur outside the laboratory during the course of the experiment. The other options (variable groups, administrative groups, and posttest groups) do not serve the same purpose as control groups in this context.

Question 16

The statement, "there are no simple formulas for designing an experimental or quasi-experimental study" suggests:
A) that there is an infinite variety of ways to design a study
B) that there is a finite variety of ways to design a study
C) that the one constant is the use of randomization in experiments
D) experiments and quasi-experiments should be used only as a last resort

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that designing an experimental or quasi-experimental study is a complex process and that there are no universal, simple formulas that can be applied to all situations. This implies that researchers need to carefully consider the specific research question, population, and context when designing their study, resulting in an infinite variety of ways to design a study.

Question 17

External validity in an experimental design refers to:
A) the researcher's ability to be sure that they are measuring what they think they are measuring
B) the lack of concern with issues internal to the study
C) the ability to apply findings to other populations
D) the ability to know your measures are consistent

Accepted Answer

External validity refers to the ability to generalize research findings to other populations or settings. Option A refers to construct validity, option B refers to internal validity, and option D refers to reliability.

Question 18

To guard against most threats to internal validity in the classical experiment the researcher should:
A) focus upon external validity
B) focus upon generalizability
C) use random assignment
D) put subjects only in experimental groups

Accepted Answer

Random assignment helps to eliminate potential confounding variables and ensures that any differences between the groups are due to the manipulation of the independent variable. Focusing on external validity or generalizability does not address internal validity, and putting subjects only in experimental groups may not control for potential confounding variables.

Question 19

The central features of what experiment type include (1) independent and dependent variables, (2) pretesting and posttesting, and (3) experimental and control groups created through random assignment?
A) casual experiments
B) statistical experiments
C) classical experiments
D) cardinal experiments

Accepted Answer

The central features described in the question are all characteristic of classical experiments. Option A, "casual experiments," is not a valid term in research methodology. Option B, "statistical experiments," is too broad and could include many types of experiments beyond the specific features mentioned in the question. Option D, "cardinal experiments," is not a recognized term in research methodology.

Question 20

How does a cohort design differ from other quasi-experimental designs?
A) the use of random assignment to control and experimental groups
B) the use of matching to assign subjects to control and experimental groups
C) there is some date or event in common to all members of the control and the experimental groups
D) all quasi-experimental designs are basically the same

Accepted Answer

The defining characteristic of a cohort design is that there is some date or event in common to all members of the control and the experimental groups. This differs from other quasi-experimental designs, which may use random assignment (A) or matching (B) to assign subjects to groups. D is incorrect as it is a false statement.

Quiz 7: Experimental and Quasi Experimental Designs

To assess the impact of child abuse upon later criminality, Dr. Rose chose to select some adults whose names appeared as child abuse victims in local police records and another group of adults who were not victims of abuse. What technique is being employed?

Which is accurate concerning the interrupted time-series design?

What process is accomplished by assigning the odd-numbered subjects to the experimental group and the even-numbered subjects to the control group?

When neither the subjects nor the researcher can identify which group is the control group and which is the experimental group, the design is said to be:

The classical experiment makes it possible to satisfy the criterion for cause in two ways. First, the posttest measures for the experimental group (stimulus present) are compared with those for the:

In social scientific experiments, as in medical experiments, the danger of experimenter bias is further reduced to the extent that the operational definitions of the dependent variables are:

Which of the following statements is true?

What technique can be used to help reduce the threat to experimental mortality?

If randomization is not possible, what should the researcher do?

What can help rule out the threats to internal validity in an experimental design?

A questionnaire is sent to 1,000 police departments in Florida and gathers information on the number of sick days officers use after being involved in a shooting incident. This is an example of what type of research?

An interrupted time-series design can be very useful in what type of research?

What type of design is illustrated in the following diagram? Experimental Group 0 X 0 Control Group 0 0 Measurement time1 time2 time3

In criminal justice experiments, what serves as a guard against the effects of the experiments themselves as well as events that may occur outside the laboratory during the course of experiments?

The statement, "there are no simple formulas for designing an experimental or quasi-experimental study" suggests:

External validity in an experimental design refers to:

To guard against most threats to internal validity in the classical experiment the researcher should:

The central features of what experiment type include (1) independent and dependent variables, (2) pretesting and posttesting, and (3) experimental and control groups created through random assignment?

How does a cohort design differ from other quasi-experimental designs?