Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a key characteristic that differentiates quasi-experiments from true experiments?
What is a key characteristic that differentiates quasi-experiments from true experiments?
In the example given, why is the validity of the weight gain conclusions potentially questionable?
In the example given, why is the validity of the weight gain conclusions potentially questionable?
What is a possible concern regarding selection bias in quasi-experiments?
What is a possible concern regarding selection bias in quasi-experiments?
Which of the following factors could affect the outcomes in a quasi-experiment?
Which of the following factors could affect the outcomes in a quasi-experiment?
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What is the primary role of a comparison group in a quasi-experiment?
What is the primary role of a comparison group in a quasi-experiment?
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What is a key feature of the Non-equivalent Control Group design?
What is a key feature of the Non-equivalent Control Group design?
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Which aspect is crucial for the effectiveness of a cohort design?
Which aspect is crucial for the effectiveness of a cohort design?
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What does a Time Series Design primarily focus on?
What does a Time Series Design primarily focus on?
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In the Non-equivalent Control Group design example, how is data evaluated?
In the Non-equivalent Control Group design example, how is data evaluated?
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What type of data patterns do cohort studies generally aim to identify?
What type of data patterns do cohort studies generally aim to identify?
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Study Notes
Quasi-Experiments
- Quasi-experiments lack one or more of the four key properties of true experiments, such as randomization or a control group.
- The missing component is often a control group, which is replaced by a comparison group.
- The validity of cause-and-effect inferences can be questioned in quasi-experiments because they rely more on human judgment than objective criteria.
- The effectiveness of a treatment is evaluated by comparing the experimental group to a comparison group.
Example of a Quasi-Experiment
- A study investigated the impact of a drug on low-birth-weight infants whose mothers were heroin addicts.
- Only an experimental group (infants of heroin-addicted mothers) was used.
- A comparison group (infants of non-heroin-addicted mothers) was not part of the study but served as a comparison point.
- Questions to assess the validity:
- Were there extraneous factors that influenced the results (such as other factors affecting weight gain)?
- Did the selection of participants influence the outcome?
- Were there external influences that affected the outcome (such as maturation)?
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamentals of quasi-experiments, focusing on their key properties and differences from true experiments. It examines the implications of lacking a control group and how comparisons are made between experimental groups and comparison groups in research studies. Test your understanding of the validity and effectiveness of these experimental designs.
