Question 1

What are the three types of research validity?

Accepted Answer

The three types of research validity are internal validity, external validity, and measurement validity.

Question 2

Extraneous and experiential variables are typically hard to control with comparative and associational approaches.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Match the research examples in 1-7 with the main threat to internal validity that it contains (a-g).
-At the start of the school year, the mathematics achievement of a group of young children is assessed. They are then all exposed to a new mathematics program and re-examined at the end of the school year.

Accepted Answer

A)  Maturation 
B)  History or environmental events 
C)  Repeated testing 
D)  Instrumentation 
E)  Selection or assignment
F) Mortality or attrition
G) Statistical regression 
A)  Maturation 
B)  History or environmental events 
C)  Repeated testing 
D)  Instrumentation 
E)  Selection or assignment
F) Mortality or attrition
G) Statistical regression A

Question 4

The criteria for causality typically include:

Accepted Answer

A)  The independent variable (IV) must precede the dependent variable (DV) 
B)  The independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV) must be unrelated 
C)  There must be no third variable that could explain the relationship between IV and DV 
D)  Random selection of participants from the population 
E)  a and c 
A)  The independent variable (IV) must precede the dependent variable (DV) 
B)  The independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV) must be unrelated 
C)  There must be no third variable that could explain the relationship between IV and DV 
D)  Random selection of participants from the population 
E)  a and c

Question 5

Match the research examples in 1-7 with the main threat to internal validity that it contains (a-g).
-An experiment is conducted to assess a new history teaching method. School districts that volunteer serve as the experimental group; those that do not volunteer, serve as the control group.

Accepted Answer

A)  Maturation 
B)  History or environmental events 
C)  Repeated testing 
D)  Instrumentation 
E)  Selection or assignment
F) Mortality or attrition
G) Statistical regression 
A)  Maturation 
B)  History or environmental events 
C)  Repeated testing 
D)  Instrumentation 
E)  Selection or assignment
F) Mortality or attrition
G) Statistical regression

Question 6

Two groups of students are tested, there is no attempt to match or check participant characteristics. The study is conducted in a field setting with very different testing rooms for

Accepted Answer

A)  Low and low 
B)  Low and medium 
C)  Low and high 
D)  Medium and high 
A)  Low and low 
B)  Low and medium 
C)  Low and high 
D)  Medium and high

Question 7

A researcher randomly assigns 30 participants each to two treatment groups. The study is conducted in two different but somewhat similar classroom settings. The ratings of internal validity on equivalence of participant characteristics and control of extraneous variables, would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  Medium and medium 
B)  High and high 
C)  High and medium 
D)  Medium and high 
A)  Medium and medium 
B)  High and high 
C)  High and medium 
D)  Medium and high

Question 8

Match the research examples in 1-7 with the main threat to internal validity that it contains (a-g).
-A psychiatrist selects a group of patients with the most extreme symptoms of depression. After one month of therapy, the patients have markedly improved.

Accepted Answer

A)  Maturation 
B)  History or environmental events 
C)  Repeated testing 
D)  Instrumentation 
E)  Selection or assignment
F) Mortality or attrition
G) Statistical regression 
A)  Maturation 
B)  History or environmental events 
C)  Repeated testing 
D)  Instrumentation 
E)  Selection or assignment
F) Mortality or attrition
G) Statistical regression

Question 9

Match the research examples in 1-7 with the main threat to internal validity that it contains (a-g).
-A control and experimental group take a posttest on cultural diversity. The experimental group had a three-day unit on diversity, the control group did not. However, in another class the control group had some discussion about diversity.

Accepted Answer

A)  Maturation 
B)  History or environmental events 
C)  Repeated testing 
D)  Instrumentation 
E)  Selection or assignment
F) Mortality or attrition
G) Statistical regression 
A)  Maturation 
B)  History or environmental events 
C)  Repeated testing 
D)  Instrumentation 
E)  Selection or assignment
F) Mortality or attrition
G) Statistical regression

Question 10

Matching of participants on characteristics other than the IV is one way to control for extraneous environmental variables.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

When comparing two groups, historical events can affect both groups equally, obscuring any significant differences.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Threats related to experiences and environment include:

Accepted Answer

A)  Environmental events that affect one group more than another group 
B)  Group differences in genetic predispositions 
C)  Experimental mortality or attrition 
D)  Statistical regression 
A)  Environmental events that affect one group more than another group 
B)  Group differences in genetic predispositions 
C)  Experimental mortality or attrition 
D)  Statistical regression

Question 13

In your own words, define internal validity.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary. The extent

Question 14

A researcher randomly assigns 80 participants to either a treatment group or a control group. The study is conducted in a laboratory setting. The ratings of internal validity on equivalence of participant characteristics and control of extraneous variables, would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  Medium and medium 
B)  High and high 
C)  High and medium 
D)  Medium and high 
A)  Medium and medium 
B)  High and high 
C)  High and medium 
D)  Medium and high

Question 15

Match the research examples in 1-7 with the main threat to internal validity that it contains (a-g).
-The research assistants become bored and do not do their observations as carefully near the end of the study.

Accepted Answer

A)  Maturation 
B)  History or environmental events 
C)  Repeated testing 
D)  Instrumentation 
E)  Selection or assignment
F) Mortality or attrition
G) Statistical regression 
A)  Maturation 
B)  History or environmental events 
C)  Repeated testing 
D)  Instrumentation 
E)  Selection or assignment
F) Mortality or attrition
G) Statistical regression

Question 16

Statistical regression can be a problem when dealing with students who were selected into a group because of their very high (e.g., gifted and talented) or very low (e.g., failing a class) categories?

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Which of the following is an attempt to make groups equal and diminish threats to internal validity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Randomized assignment of participants to groups or conditions 
B)  Randomized assignment of treatments or conditions to intact groups 
C)  Checking for pretest equality of groups after the fact 
D)  All of the above are true 
A)  Randomized assignment of participants to groups or conditions 
B)  Randomized assignment of treatments or conditions to intact groups 
C)  Checking for pretest equality of groups after the fact 
D)  All of the above are true

Question 18

A researcher makes some attempts to equate the characteristics of two groups of participants. She conducts her research study in a laboratory setting where extraneous variables are eliminated. The two ratings of internal validity of the study, equivalence of participant characteristics and control of extraneous variables, would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  Medium and high 
B)  High and medium 
C)  Low and medium 
D)  Low and high 
A)  Medium and high 
B)  High and medium 
C)  Low and medium 
D)  Low and high

Question 19

When comparing two groups, a historical event can affect one group more than the other group, threatening the internal validity of the study.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Extraneous and experiential variables are typically well-controlled with the randomized experimental approach.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 8: Internal Validity

What are the three types of research validity?

Extraneous and experiential variables are typically hard to control with comparative and associational approaches.

The criteria for causality typically include:

Match the research examples in 1-7 with the main threat to internal validity that it contains (a-g). -An experiment is conducted to assess a new history teaching method. School districts that volunteer serve as the experimental group; those that do not volunteer, serve as the control group.

Two groups of students are tested, there is no attempt to match or check participant characteristics. The study is conducted in a field setting with very different testing rooms for

A researcher randomly assigns 30 participants each to two treatment groups. The study is conducted in two different but somewhat similar classroom settings. The ratings of internal validity on equivalence of participant characteristics and control of extraneous variables, would be:

Match the research examples in 1-7 with the main threat to internal validity that it contains (a-g). -A psychiatrist selects a group of patients with the most extreme symptoms of depression. After one month of therapy, the patients have markedly improved.

Matching of participants on characteristics other than the IV is one way to control for extraneous environmental variables.

When comparing two groups, historical events can affect both groups equally, obscuring any significant differences.

Threats related to experiences and environment include:

In your own words, define internal validity.

A researcher randomly assigns 80 participants to either a treatment group or a control group. The study is conducted in a laboratory setting. The ratings of internal validity on equivalence of participant characteristics and control of extraneous variables, would be:

Match the research examples in 1-7 with the main threat to internal validity that it contains (a-g). -The research assistants become bored and do not do their observations as carefully near the end of the study.

Statistical regression can be a problem when dealing with students who were selected into a group because of their very high (e.g., gifted and talented) or very low (e.g., failing a class) categories?

Which of the following is an attempt to make groups equal and diminish threats to internal validity?

When comparing two groups, a historical event can affect one group more than the other group, threatening the internal validity of the study.

Extraneous and experiential variables are typically well-controlled with the randomized experimental approach.

Definitions, Purposes, and Dimensions of Research

Planning a Quantitative Research Project

Variables, Research Questions, and Hypotheses

Research Approaches

Randomized Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs

Single-Subject Designs

Nonexperimental Approachesdesigns

Sampling and Introduction to External Validity

Measurement and Descriptive Statistics

Measurement Reliability

Measurement Validity

Types of Data Collection Techniques

Ethical Issues in Conducting the Study

Practical Issues in Data Collection and Coding

Making Inferences From Sample Data I: The Null Hypothesis Significance Testing Approach

Making Inferences From Sample Data II: the Evidence-Based Approach

General Design Classifications for Selection of Difference Statistical Methods

Selection of Appropriate Statistical Methods: Integration of Design and Analysis

Data Analysis and Interpretation: Basic Difference Questions

Analysis and Interpretation of Basic Associational Research Questions

Analysis and Interpretation of Complex Research Questions

Evaluating Research Validity: Part I

Evaluating Research Validity: Part II

Evaluating Research for Evidence-Based Practice

Writing the Research Report

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