Question 1

Which of the following is true of propensity score matching?
A) It is a technique that uses random assignment.
B) It allows individuals in the treatment and the control group to be matched on multiple variables.
C) It allows researchers to study persons of different ages at only one point in time.
D) It occurs whenever participants are selected because they score extremely high or low on some variable.

Accepted Answer

Propensity score matching is a technique that allows individuals in the treatment and control group to be matched on multiple variables to reduce the effects of confounding variables. It does not use random assignment, it does not restrict the study to persons of only one age, and it does not involve selecting participants based on extreme scores on some variable.

Question 2

Over time,human observers may become fatigued or change the standards on which observations are based.When this change in measurement occurs over time,a researcher might attribute it to _____.
A) history effects
B) regression toward the mean
C) testing effects
D) instrument decay

Accepted Answer

Instrument decay refers to a change in the accuracy or reliability of the instrument or device used to measure the variable of interest. This can occur due to wear and tear, calibration issues, or technology becoming outdated. As a result, over time, the measurements obtained by the instrument may become less precise or may differ from the true value of the variable. Therefore, if a change in measurement occurs over time, it is possible that it may be due to instrument decay.

Question 3

Which of the following is true of a nonequivalent control group design?
A) The design does not include a separate control group.
B) The two groups in the experiment are the result of random assignment.
C) The problem of selection differences is likely to arise in this design.
D) The same group of people is observed at different points in time as they grow older.

Accepted Answer

In a nonequivalent control group design, the groups are not randomly assigned, which means there is a greater likelihood of selection differences between the groups. This can lead to confounding variables and diminish the internal validity of the study.

Question 4

A school administrator wants to examine the effect of student lockers on class tardiness.He compares tardiness records of a school with no lockers to a school with lockers.What type of research design is this?
A) Nonequivalent control group
B) One-group pretest-posttest
C) One-shot case study
D) Pretest only

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a nonequivalent control group design, where the two schools being compared are not equivalent in all aspects (one has lockers and the other does not). This design allows for some control over extraneous variables, but it is not as strong as a randomized controlled trial where participants are randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group.

Question 5

A human resources psychologist is interested in the effect of work schedule on job satisfaction.She compares satisfaction scores of workers who work five 8-hour shifts with workers who work four 10-hour shifts.Which of the following types of design has the manager employed?
A) One-group pretest-posttest design
B) Nonequivalent pretest-posttest design
C) Nonequivalent control group design
D) One-shot case study

Accepted Answer

The manager has employed a nonequivalent control group design, as there are two different groups being compared with no pretest or equivalent control.

Question 6

_____ usually occurs when participants who form the two groups in an experiment are chosen from existing natural groups.
A) History effect
B) Regression toward the mean
C) Cohort effect
D) Selection bias

Accepted Answer

The answer of _____ usually occurs when participants who form...

Question 7

Regression toward the mean refers to the fact that:
A) extreme scores tend to change toward the less extreme mean.
B) statistical regression results from changes that occur systematically over time.
C) participants should be selected based on extreme scores taken at one time.
D) mean scores of pretest and posttest measures will be the same after manipulation.

Accepted Answer

Regression toward the mean refers to the tendency for extreme scores or outliers to move closer to the average (or mean) score over time. This phenomenon can occur naturally in situations where extreme scores are less likely to be repeated and therefore tend to "regress" toward the middle. It is important to be aware of this phenomenon when interpreting data and making predictions based on extreme scores.

Question 8

Teachers at School A were given a substance abuse knowledge test.During the next four months,the teachers attended training sessions on substance abuse.They were then given the knowledge test again.Similarly,teachers at School B were given the substance abuse knowledge test,and four months later they were given the test again.What kind of design was used in this research?
A) Pretest-posttest true experimental design
B) Nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design
C) Interrupted time series design
D) Multiple baseline design

Accepted Answer

This research design is a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design because it involves comparing two groups (School A and School B) where one group receives an intervention (substance abuse training for School A) and both groups are tested before and after the intervention, without random assignment to groups.

Question 9

The serious flaw associated with the nonequivalent control group design is that ____ occur.
A) selection differences
B) data variances
C) participant dropouts
D) maturation effects

Accepted Answer

The serious flaw associated with the nonequivalent control group design is that selection differences occur. This occurs when the groups being compared are not equivalent at the start of the study, meaning that they differ in some way that could affect the outcome being measured. Without equivalent groups, it is difficult to determine whether any observed differences are due to the intervention being studied or to preexisting differences between the groups. This can lead to biased results and an inability to draw valid conclusions from the study.

Question 10

In the context of one-group pretest-posttest design,maturation effects occur when:
A) taking a pretest changes the participant's behavior.
B) participants change over time and become bored or fatigued.
C) a confounding event occurs at the same time as the experimental manipulation.
D) the basic characteristics of the measuring instrument change over time.

Accepted Answer

Maturation effects occur when participants change over time and become bored or fatigued. This can lead to changes in behavior that are unrelated to the experimental manipulation, making it difficult to determine the true effects of the intervention.

Question 11

Selection differences in the nonequivalent control group design are:
A) essential to the design because they enhance the independent variable.
B) essential to the design because they allow greater differences than the dependent variable.
C) problematic because they challenge the external validity of the study.
D) problematic because they challenge the internal validity of the study.

Accepted Answer

Selection differences pose a threat to the internal validity of the nonequivalent control group design because they could account for any differences found between the treatment and control groups, rather than the independent variable. This means that any observed effects of the independent variable may not be attributable to the treatment itself but to the selection process. Therefore, it is important to control for all possible confounding variables in both the treatment and control groups to improve the internal validity of the study.

Question 12

The use of existing natural groups of participants often results in:
A) nonequivalent groups.
B) regression toward the mean.
C) many independent variables.
D) equal numbers of males and females.

Accepted Answer

Using existing natural groups of participants often results in nonequivalent groups because these groups may differ in various ways that can affect the outcome of the study. For example, if a researcher wants to compare the effectiveness of two different teaching strategies using two different schools as natural groups, the schools may differ in terms of their students' prior knowledge, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics that can influence the results of the study. Therefore, it is important for researchers to account for these differences by controlling for potential confounding variables or by using statistical techniques that can adjust for group differences.

Question 13

Selection differences are less likely to occur when researchers:
A) use pre-existing groups found in natural settings.
B) randomly assign participants to groups.
C) allow participants to assign themselves to groups.
D) use nonequivalent control group design.

Accepted Answer

Randomly assigning participants to groups helps to ensure that there are no preexisting differences between the groups that could affect the results. Using pre-existing groups or allowing participants to self-assign to groups may result in selection differences. Using a nonequivalent control group design also risks selection differences between the control and treatment groups.

Question 14

A study is conducted in which the attitudes of the staff of a rehabilitation center are assessed;then the staff is exposed to an attitude-change manipulation,and attitudes are assessed again.Another rehabilitation center of similar size is also chosen;attitudes there are measured,and then assessed again after manipulation.This quasi-experimental design is called a _____ design.
A) Solomon four-group
B) nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest
C) interrupted time series
D) control series

Accepted Answer

This is a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design, as there are two groups (the two rehabilitation centers) that are not randomly assigned and are not equivalent at the start of the study, and both groups are measured twice (pretest and posttest) to assess the effects of the attitude-change manipulation. The Solomon four-group design involves two experimental groups and two control groups, while the interrupted time series design involves multiple measurements before and after an intervention for a single group or unit. The control series design involves multiple measurements before and after an intervention for a single group or unit, but lacks a control group.

Question 15

A way to improve the interrupted time series design is to use a _____ design.
A) control series
B) reversal series
C) multiple baseline
D) single-case

Accepted Answer

A control series design enhances an interrupted time series design by adding a comparison or control group, which helps in isolating the effect of the intervention from other external factors that might influence the outcome.

Question 16

In one-group pretest-posttest design,which of the following will occur whenever researchers gather a set of extreme scores taken at one time and compare them with scores taken at another point in time?
A) Regression toward the mean
B) Propensity score matching
C) Selection differences
D) Testing effects

Accepted Answer

This is because extreme scores, by definition, are further from the mean and thus more likely to regress towards it over time. This phenomenon is known as regression toward the mean. The other options listed are not related to the comparison of extreme scores over time in a one-group pretest-posttest design.

Question 17

A researcher wants to test the effect of alcohol on driving performance.Participants first drive through an obstacle course before drinking any alcohol.The participants then drink 8 ounces of alcohol and drive the course again.After each trial,the number of traffic cones hit is recorded.The researcher finds that the number of traffic cones hit is greater before rather than after the participants drank the alcohol.What may best account for the change in performance?
A) Maturation
B) History
C) Testing effect
D) Instrument decay

Accepted Answer

The testing effect refers to the possibility that taking part in a test or trial can affect participants' performance in subsequent trials. In this case, the act of driving through the obstacle course before drinking any alcohol may have improved participants' ability to navigate the course, leading to a better performance on the first trial.

Question 18

What is the advantage of the pretest in the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design?
A) The pretest accustoms the participants to the procedures of the study.
B) Participants who experience a pretest generally score higher on a posttest.
C) When groups are not equivalent,researchers can look at changes from pretest to posttest scores.
D) If the pretest scores are different,the study can be discontinued immediately.

Accepted Answer

The advantage of the pretest in the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design is that when groups are not equivalent, researchers can look at changes from pretest to posttest scores to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment or intervention. The pretest allows for a comparison of the groups at the outset, and any differences in posttest scores can be attributed to the treatment rather than preexisting differences between the groups. Option A is incorrect because the purpose of the pretest is not simply to accustom participants to study procedures; it serves a more specific design purpose. Option B is incorrect because the pretest may reveal a baseline difference between groups, and thus, the groups may not necessarily score the same on the posttest. Option D is incorrect because even if pretest scores are different, it does not necessarily mean the study should be discontinued immediately; such a decision would have to be based on further analysis and justification.

Question 19

A graduating college student takes the Graduate Record Exam and scores high marks.Six months later the student retakes the exam after completing all undergraduate coursework,but scores relatively low.Other than the boring coursework,what is most likely to account for the lower scores?
A) Maturation
B) Testing
C) Instrument decay
D) Regression toward the mean

Accepted Answer

Regression toward the mean is the most likely cause for the lower scores on the second exam. This phenomenon suggests that extreme scores, whether high or low, will become less extreme over time and move toward the mean, or average, score on subsequent testing. Thus, the student's low score on the second exam can be explained by the fact that their first score was unusually high, and the second score reflects a return to their actual ability level.

Question 20

The interrupted time series design involves:
A) making an observation immediately before and immediately after a treatment is instituted.
B) using time as the independent variable.
C) making observations over an extended period of time before and after a treatment is instituted.
D) comparing treatment and control groups over an extended period of time.

Accepted Answer

The interrupted time series design involves making observations over an extended period of time before and after a treatment is instituted. This design allows for the collection of data before and after the treatment, which can provide a better understanding of the changes that occur as a result of the treatment. The other options are not necessarily unique to the interrupted time series design. For example, option A could describe a simple pre-post design, and option D could describe a randomized controlled trial with a longitudinal design.

Quiz 11: Single-Case, Quasi-Experimental, and Developmental Research

Which of the following is true of propensity score matching?

Over time,human observers may become fatigued or change the standards on which observations are based.When this change in measurement occurs over time,a researcher might attribute it to _____.

Which of the following is true of a nonequivalent control group design?

A school administrator wants to examine the effect of student lockers on class tardiness.He compares tardiness records of a school with no lockers to a school with lockers.What type of research design is this?

A human resources psychologist is interested in the effect of work schedule on job satisfaction.She compares satisfaction scores of workers who work five 8-hour shifts with workers who work four 10-hour shifts.Which of the following types of design has the manager employed?

_____ usually occurs when participants who form the two groups in an experiment are chosen from existing natural groups.

Regression toward the mean refers to the fact that:

The serious flaw associated with the nonequivalent control group design is that ____ occur.

In the context of one-group pretest-posttest design,maturation effects occur when:

Selection differences in the nonequivalent control group design are:

The use of existing natural groups of participants often results in:

Selection differences are less likely to occur when researchers:

A way to improve the interrupted time series design is to use a _____ design.

In one-group pretest-posttest design,which of the following will occur whenever researchers gather a set of extreme scores taken at one time and compare them with scores taken at another point in time?

What is the advantage of the pretest in the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design?

A graduating college student takes the Graduate Record Exam and scores high marks.Six months later the student retakes the exam after completing all undergraduate coursework,but scores relatively low.Other than the boring coursework,what is most likely to account for the lower scores?

The interrupted time series design involves: