Quasi-experimental Research Design
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Questions and Answers

What is RDD most useful for?

  • Estimating effects for individuals near a threshold (correct)
  • Assigning treatment with clear categorization
  • Studying real-world phenomena
  • Addressing a wide range of potential biases
  • Which of the following best describes external validity?

  • The focus on the accuracy of measurements used in a study
  • The control of confounding factors within a study
  • The ability to apply study results to other groups or settings (correct)
  • The degree to which a study establishes a causal relationship
  • What does internal validity focus on?

  • The natural changes in participants over time
  • The generalization of results to different populations
  • The causal relationship without confounding factors (correct)
  • The reliability of interventions in real-world situations
  • Which of the following is NOT a common threat to internal validity?

    <p>Replication (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a history effect?

    <p>External events occurring during the study (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which bias occurs when participants' characteristics affect group outcomes prior to intervention?

    <p>Selection Bias (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which threat to internal validity involves participants' natural changes over time?

    <p>Maturation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of designs do combination designs seek to enhance?

    <p>Quasi-experimental methods (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the strengths of using a time series design?

    <p>Provides rich data to understand the effect of interventions over time (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What limitation is associated with the interrupted time series design?

    <p>Results may be affected by external events coinciding with the intervention (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element represents the treatment in the time series design?

    <p>X (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might selection bias be a concern in natural environment studies?

    <p>Pre-existing differences could impact outcomes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a time series design primarily evaluate?

    <p>Gradual or abrupt changes following an intervention (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of an interrupted time series design?

    <p>The intervention occurs at a specific interruption point in time (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a notable strength of using quasi-experimental designs in research?

    <p>High external validity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a strength of using a time series design?

    <p>Identifies causal relationships effectively (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the limitation associated with quasi-experimental designs?

    <p>Difficulties in isolating treatment effects (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of external events on time series design results?

    <p>They can significantly influence the observed trends (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a combination design in research aim to achieve?

    <p>Strengthen causal inference by integrating multiple designs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a combination design, what does cross-validation refer to?

    <p>Validating findings through different methods (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common example provided for comparing educational outcomes in quasi-experimental research?

    <p>Comparison of test scores before and after a tutoring program (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which methodology might researchers use to control for biases in a combination design?

    <p>Interruption time series (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key challenge associated with implementing combination designs?

    <p>Complexity in execution and analysis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might researchers be unable to achieve effectively in quasi-experimental designs?

    <p>Controlling for all external variables (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary characteristic of a one group post test only design?

    <p>There is no baseline comparison. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which design is most susceptible to internal validity threats?

    <p>One Group Post Test Only Design (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of conducting a pretest in a quasi-experimental design?

    <p>To establish a baseline for comparison. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following designs does NOT require a treatment group?

    <p>One Group Design (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main limitation of the one group post test only design?

    <p>No understanding of initial fitness levels. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which scenario would a fitness instructor implement a one group post test only design?

    <p>When assessing the effectiveness of a single workout program. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does conducting a post-test involve in a quasi-experimental design?

    <p>Measuring the outcome after the intervention. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) from other experimental designs?

    <p>It assigns treatment based on a specific cutoff or threshold. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of statistical analysis in a quasi-experimental design?

    <p>To interpret results and determine the effectiveness of the intervention. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of a natural experiment?

    <p>It takes advantage of naturally occurring events for treatment assignment. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which limitation is associated with Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD)?

    <p>It can be easily manipulated for biased results. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of the Non-equivalent Control Group Design?

    <p>It lacks randomization when comparing two groups. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which option correctly describes the Interrupted Time Series design?

    <p>It focuses on trends after an intervention is implemented. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of evidence does Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) provide?

    <p>Causal evidence primarily for those near the cutoff. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scenario best exemplifies the concept of a natural experiment?

    <p>Research observing the impact of a tax policy change on local businesses. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common risk in using Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD)?

    <p>Manipulation of cutoff scores for potential gain. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is likely to happen to extreme scores on a pretest during subsequent testing?

    <p>They will regress towards the average. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can attrition in a study affect its results?

    <p>It may lead to biased results if dropouts differ from remaining participants. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is compensatory rivalry in the context of a control group?

    <p>Changes in participants' behavior to compete with the intervention group. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a disadvantage of quasi-experiments?

    <p>Potential influence of confounding variables. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which advantage is associated with quasi-experimental designs?

    <p>They are generally less expensive and require fewer resources. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does diffusion of treatment refer to?

    <p>The spread of intervention effects to the control group. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of influence does experimenter bias have on a study?

    <p>It may inadvertently impact participants' responses or outcomes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the power of quasi-experiment designs?

    <p>They enable researchers to combine with strict experimental methods. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    One-Group Post-Test Only Design

    A quasi-experimental design where a single group receives an intervention, and their outcome is measured after the intervention. There is no control group for comparison.

    One-Group Pre-Test Post-Test Design

    A quasi-experimental design where a single group is measured before and after receiving an intervention. There is no control group for comparison.

    One-Group Post-Test Only Design (Limitations)

    A type of quasi-experimental design susceptible to threats to internal validity, meaning it's difficult to determine if the intervention caused the observed outcome.

    Non-Equivalent Control Group Design

    A quasi-experimental design where two groups are compared, one receiving an intervention and the other serving as a control group. Both groups are measured before and after the intervention.

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    Analyzing and Interpreting Results

    The process of analyzing data to determine if the intervention had a significant effect on the outcome.

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    Implementing the Intervention

    The phase of a study where the intervention is implemented, allowing participants to experience the treatment.

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    Post-Test

    The stage of a study where the outcome variable is measured in both the treatment and control groups after the intervention has taken place.

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    Pretest

    A measurement taken before the intervention is implemented to establish a baseline for comparison with post-intervention results.

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    Time Series Design

    A type of non-equivalent control group design where observations are made over time to understand how an intervention impacts a specific group.

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    Interrupted Time Series Design

    A time series design where a specific intervention is introduced, causing a clear shift in the data patterns.

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    Selection Bias

    A potential issue in non-equivalent control group designs where the characteristics of the groups differ significantly before the treatment is applied, making it difficult to isolate the true effect of the intervention.

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    Confounding Variables

    Variables that are not being directly studied but can influence the results of a non-equivalent control group design.

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    Observations

    Repeated measurements of the outcome variable over time before and after the intervention in a time series design.

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    Intervention

    An event or treatment that is implemented to see its impact in a time series design.

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    Symbolic Representation

    Used to represent the different observations in a time series design with the treatment marked as "X".

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    Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD)

    A quasi-experimental design that assigns treatment based on a cutoff or threshold. Compares individuals just above and below the cutoff to estimate the causal effects. Key Features:

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    Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) Features

    Strict assignment (above the cutoff = treatment, below = no treatment).

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    Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) Features

    The design compares participants just above and below the cutoff to isolate the treatment effect.

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    Natural Experiment

    Occurs when researchers take advantage of naturally occurring events or circumstances that mimic random assignment, without direct control by the researcher.

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    Natural Experiment Features

    Researchers study real-world interventions or events where the treatment is assigned naturally (e.g., policy changes, natural disasters).

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    Quasi-experimental Design

    Research design that takes advantage of naturally occurring events or changes in the real world to study causal relationships.

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    Before-and-After Design

    A specific type of quasi-experimental design that uses data collected before and after a policy or intervention is implemented to assess the impact.

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    Combination Design

    A quasi-experimental design that combines multiple techniques to strengthen the causal inference and address threats to validity.

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    External Validity

    The degree to which the findings of a study can be generalized to other populations, settings, and times.

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    Causal Inference

    The confidence that the observed effect was truly caused by the treatment and not by other factors.

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    Strengths of Combination Design

    Combining multiple designs strengthens the study by controlling for more confounders and providing a more robust causal inference.

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    Threats to Internal Validity

    Factors that can threaten the ability to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship. These factors can make it difficult to determine if the intervention truly caused the observed effects.

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    Maturation

    Changes in participants over time, like aging or fatigue, potentially affecting the results.

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    History Effects

    External events that occur during the study, unrelated to the intervention, potentially influencing outcomes.

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    Testing Effects

    Repeated testing or exposure to the same test can influence results, potentially making it seem like there is an effect when there is not.

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    Regression to the Mean

    The tendency for groups to be more different in the pretest than in the posttest, potentially masking the true effects of the intervention.

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    Instrumentation

    A threat to internal validity in research where changes in the measurement tools, techniques, or the observers over time can affect the results of the study, making it difficult to isolate the true effect of the intervention.

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    Compensatory Rivalry

    A threat to internal validity in research where participants in the control group become aware of the intervention and deliberately change their behavior to match the intervention group, impacting the results.

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    Experimenter Bias

    A threat to internal validity in research where the researcher's expectations or actions unconsciously influence the participants' behavior, potentially skewing the results.

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    Attrition

    A threat to internal validity where participants leave the research study over time. These participants may be different from those who remain, potentially affecting the results and making it difficult to generalize findings.

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    Diffusion of Treatment

    A threat to internal validity in research where the intervention's effects might inadvertently 'spill over' to the control group, because participants in different groups interact, making it difficult to isolate the true effect of the intervention.

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    Compensatory Equalization

    A threat to internal validity in research where the researcher, trying to be fair, provides extra resources or attention to the control group to compensate for perceived inequalities. This can affect the study's results because the control group may become more similar to the intervention group.

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    Advantages of Quasi-experiments

    Advantages of quasi-experiments include the ability to study real-world problems, less expense, and the potential for better external validity, since they often involve larger, more diverse populations.

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    Study Notes

    Quasi-experimental Research Design

    • Quasi-experimental research resembles experimental research but lacks random assignment of participants to conditions.
    • Researchers manipulate the independent variable, but participants aren't randomly assigned.
    • This design is frequently used in psychology, education, and social sciences.
    • It aims to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables.

    Characteristics of Quasi-Experimental Designs

    • Absence of Random Assignment: Groups are pre-existing (e.g., different classrooms, departments).
    • Comparative Analysis: Researchers compare treatment and control groups.
    • Focus on Causality: The goal is to identify causal relationships between variables.
    • Pretest and Posttest Measurements: Data is collected before and after the intervention.
    • Use of Pre-existing or Naturally Formed Groups: Groups pre-exist and aren't randomly assigned.
    • Natural Settings: Research is often conducted in real-world settings.

    Process of Quasi-Experimental Design

    • Define Research Question: Clearly state the goal of the study (e.g., does a new teaching method improve student scores?).
    • Choose Design Type: Select an appropriate quasi-experimental design.
    • Select Groups and Variables: Identify the groups to be compared (e.g., treatment and control groups) and variables to measure.
    • Pretest: Conduct a pretest to establish a baseline for the dependent variable.
    • Implement the Intervention: Apply the intervention to the treatment group.
    • Posttest: Measure the dependent variable in both the treatment and control groups after the intervention.
    • Analyze and Interpret Results: Use statistical methods to analyze the data and draw conclusions.

    Types of Quasi-Experimental Designs

    • One-Group Posttest-Only Design: A single group is observed after an intervention.
    • One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design: A single group is observed before and after an intervention.
    • Non-equivalent Control Group Design: Compares a treatment group with a non-equivalent control group (not randomly assigned).
    • Time Series Design: Measures a dependent variable over an extended period before and after an intervention.
    • Interrupted Time Series Design: A variation of the time series design where an intervention occurs as a significant event.
    • Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD): Assigns treatment based on a cutoff point or threshold, comparing individuals just above and below the cutoff.
    • Natural Experiment: Researchers take advantage of naturally occurring events or interventions.
    • Combination Design: Integrates techniques.

    Internal and External Validity

    • Internal Validity: The degree to which a study establishes a true cause-and-effect relationship, free of other factors.
    • External Validity: The extent to which the study's results can be generalized to other populations, settings, and times.

    Threats to Internal Validity

    • Selection Bias: Differences between groups before the intervention.
    • History Effects: External events influencing the results.
    • Maturation: Natural changes in participants over time.
    • Testing Effects: Repeated testing affecting scores.
    • Instrumentation: Changes in measurement tools affecting results.
    • Regression to the Mean: Extreme scores moving towards average.
    • Attrition (Mortality): Loss of participants during the study.
    • Diffusion of Treatment: Treatment spreading to the control group.
    • Compensatory Rivalry: Control group competing with treatment group.
    • Compensatory Equalization: Control group receiving extra resources.
    • Experimenter Bias: Researchers' expectations influencing results.

    Advantages of Quasi-Experiments

    • Real-world applicability
    • Relatively inexpensive
    • Frequently generalizable

    Disadvantages of Quasi-Experiments

    • Lower internal validity
    • Less control over extraneous variables
    • Potential for confounding variables

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    Description

    Explore the features and applications of quasi-experimental research design in psychology, education, and social sciences. This quiz covers characteristics like the absence of random assignment and the focus on establishing causal relationships between variables. Test your knowledge on the methods and measurements involved in this research design.

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