Questions and Answers
What is a quasi-experiment?
What are some pros of quasi-experiments?
Realistic placement of participants, increased external validity, ethical investigation of complex issues.
What are some cons of quasi-experiments?
Lack of random assignment, potential person confounds, diminished internal validity.
What characterizes a person-by-treatment quasi-experimental design?
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Natural experiments involve random assignment.
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What is patching in quasi-experimental research?
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What is a patched-up design?
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What does internal analysis refer to in quasi-experimental research?
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Study Notes
Quasi-Experiment Overview
- Quasi-experiments allow researchers to have partial control over independent variables without random assignment.
- They focus on observational studies to measure outcomes rather than manipulating conditions.
Advantages of Quasi-Experiments
- Participants are realistically placed into conditions, enhancing the study's applicability.
- Increased external validity leads to results that are generalizable to wider populations.
- Quasi-experiments can ethically investigate complex issues that a true experiment may not be able to address.
- Aims to maximize both internal and external validity when possible.
Disadvantages of Quasi-Experiments
- Absence of random assignment may introduce person confounds, impacting reliability.
- Internal validity is diminished compared to true experiments, making it harder to eliminate confounding variables.
Person-by-Treatment Quasi-Experimental Design
- Involves measuring at least one independent variable while manipulating another, requiring a factorial design.
- Often conducted in laboratory environments where random assignment is implemented.
- Individual differences are measured, and treatments are manipulated based on these differences through pre-screening or pre-testing.
Natural Experiments
- Lack random assignment; manipulations occur due to natural circumstances rather than controlled experiments.
- There is some ability to control for existing confounds, but the line between natural and non-experimental designs is often blurred.
Patching in Research
- Researchers may add new conditions to an existing study to quantify the effect size of a quasi-experimental effect.
- Patch designs help test the influence of confounds or explore both aspects.
Patched-Up Design
- Refers to a type of quasi-experiment that incorporates multiple control groups to enhance the rigor and strength of the design.
Internal Analysis
- Involves breaking down one or more groups into subgroups to examine consistent differences in relation to the primary theory or opposition theories.
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Description
This quiz explores the concept of quasi-experiments, emphasizing their advantages and disadvantages in research. It covers the application of quasi-experimental designs and their impact on internal and external validity. Test your knowledge on this essential research methodology.
