Special circumstances design

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Questions and Answers

What is a key flaw of a true experimental design that makes it quasi-experimental in nature?

It lacks random assignment. (correct)

It does not manipulate the independent variable.

It does not require a control group.

It lacks random sampling.

Which quasi-experimental design is considered a poor design due to lack of comparison?

Non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest

One-group pretest-posttest

Interrupted time series

One-group posttest only (correct)

What is the primary concern when using a one-group pretest-posttest design?

Over-reliance on a control group.

The validity of the pretest.

Regression toward the mean not occurring.

Maturation affecting results. (correct)

What does the non-equivalent control group posttest only design allow for?

Comparison of posttest results between two groups. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a threat to internal validity?

Measurement bias Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an interrupted time series design?

To analyze effects over time without random assignment. Signup and view all the answers

In the non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design, what is measured before treatment?

The dependent variable Signup and view all the answers

How can researchers control for the variable in a control series design?

By adding a control group. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a longitudinal research design?

To track the same participants over a period of time Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant drawback of the cross-sectional method?

It may not capture developmental changes adequately Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a confounding effect in developmental research?

Cohort effects that arise from unique experiences Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of quasi-experimental designs?

They are used when true manipulation of variables is not possible Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a true experiment?

The independent variable is the sole cause of the dependent variable. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for establishing a causal relationship in research?

Random assignment of participants Signup and view all the answers

What is a main advantage of using the sequential method design?

It allows for cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

What disadvantage is common to both longitudinal and cross-sectional designs?

Complications in controlling for cohort effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a needs assessment in program evaluation?

To identify the actual needs of the target population. Signup and view all the answers

In a single case experimental design, what is done during the baseline phase?

The participant's behavior is measured without any manipulation. Signup and view all the answers

Which design is particularly useful if random assignment is not feasible?

Quasi-experimental design Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue faced when utilizing longitudinal research designs?

Potential for participant dropout over time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a quasi-experimental design?

It lacks random assignment due to variable characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the process evaluation focus on in program evaluation?

Assessing how the program is being implemented. Signup and view all the answers

What is an expected outcome of conducting a treatment phase in single case experimental designs?

Evidence of effectiveness based on changes in behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Why is program evaluation sometimes necessary despite the challenges of true experiments?

True experiments may not be feasible or ethical in certain situations. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Designs for Special Circumstances

True experiments are basic designs with high internal validity, where the independent variable (IV) is the sole cause of the dependent variable (DV).
Key components of causality include temporal precedence (cause precedes effect), covariation of cause and effect, and elimination of alternative explanations.
Basic experimental designs are sometimes unsuitable for research, thus solutions are needed.
Single-case designs are useful for studying one participant.
Quasi-experimental designs are used when random assignment isn't feasible. These designs can measure variables like race or age.
Program evaluations assess programs aimed at positive effects on groups.
True experiments face practical limitations in some research areas.

Program Evaluation

Program evaluation aims to research programs designed for positive group effects.

Single-Case Experimental Designs

These designs focus on single participants.
They are useful for studying therapy or intervention effectiveness.
A baseline phase, where the environment does not change is part of the design.

Solutions for Enhanced Causality

Reversal designs provide a way to confirm findings by repeating baseline phases.
Multiple baseline designs introduce replication in single-case designs.

Developmental Research Designs

Developmental designs study age effects and how they relate to other variables.
Age effects are main variables in research, illustrating how factors change with age.
Cohort effects are unique experiences of a particular generation.
Time-of-measurement effects occur due to socio-cultural or environmental influences on collected data.. These confound age effects.
Developmental research lacks ability for random assignment of age.
Cross-sectional methods study participants of various ages at one time.
Longitudinal methods use same participants over time.
Sequential methods use multiple cohorts (different participant groups) and time points of measurement to observe changes.

Quasi-Experimental Designs

Quasi-experimental designs are used when true experiments are not possible or ethical (cannot manipulate IV).
These designs cannot establish causality, due to the absence of random assignment and controlled conditions.
Quasi-experimental designs help to identify potential weaknesses in studies that claim to be true experiments.

One-Group Posttest-Only Design

The design exposes a group to one condition, then measures the dependent variable (DV).
No comparison is made to other groups. The effect of the condition on the DV is unknown.

One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design

The design gathers a pretest measure, before exposure to the condition, and then a post-test. Comparison with a "no treatment" condition provides a baseline measure to evaluate change.

Threats to Internal Validity

Maturation threats occur when development occurs naturally over time.
History threats include outside events that influence the study.
Testing threats refer to the influence of repeated testing on participants.
Instrument decay occurs if measuring instrument decreases in accuracy over time.
Regression toward the mean occurs when participants are selected for extreme scores; changes tend to move towards the average/mean for the variable.

Continued Quasi-Experimental Designs

Non-equivalent control group posttest-only design involves two non-equivalent groups which are exposed to different treatments, and then are compared using the DV value.
Non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest designs follow a similar pattern to the above design. However, the comparison is made based on pretest and posttest score of the DVs.

Multiple Repeated Measures

Multiple repeated measures designs lack random assignment, making it impossible to isolate IV effects.
Interrupted time-series designs involve applying a treatment and measuring outcomes through time.

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Description

This quiz explores various research designs used in psychology, including true experimental, quasi-experimental, and single-case designs. It emphasizes the importance of establishing causality and understanding the limitations of each approach. Ideal for students studying experimental methodologies in psychological research.