Professor Prieto teaches two sections of a diversity class. In the 10:00 class, he focuses on discussion; in the 3:00 class, he mainly lectures. At the end of the semester, he finds the students in the 3:00 class score higher on a measure of multicultural competence. Which of the following threats to validity could be operating in this study?
A) a history effect
B) a selection bias
C) mortality
D) a volunteer bias

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This study is vulnerable to selection bias because the students who choose to take the 3:00 class may differ systematically from the students who choose to take the 10:00 class. For example, students who are more interested in the topic or who are stronger students may be more likely to take the 3:00 class, and these factors could also contribute to higher scores on the measure of multicultural competence. Other threats to validity, such as a history effect or mortality, are less likely to be operating because both classes are taught by the same instructor in the same semester. Volunteer bias is not a factor because the students did not choose which class to take based on their interest in the study or their expectations for the outcome.

Professor Prieto Teaches Two Sections of a Diversity Class