A researcher pretests a group of participants to determine their attitudes toward the use of alternative energy sources to replace crude oil. The researcher then initiates a program to convince them that they should invest in such alternatives. During this time, the price of gasoline rises $.50 per gallon. At the end of the program, the researcher retests and finds that the participants are much more positive in their attitudes. What threat to internal validity most likely accounts for this change?
A)History
B)Maturation
C)Testing
D)Regression toward the mean

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rise in gasoline prices during the program could be a confounding factor that influenced the participants' attitudes, rather than the program itself. This is an example of the history threat to internal validity.

A Researcher Pretests a Group of Participants to Determine Their