Exam 9: Causal-Comparative Research

Alice's study examined the benefits of early morning exercise on young children's attention during circle time. She had two groups of students, one who came to circle time first and then had recess and a second group that had recess before circle time. She is comparing the groups' attention based upon a frequency of off-task behaviors by group at circle. The likely measure of Alice's dependent variable is

Gretchen is comparing second grade students' spelling ability across three existing groups. One group has had phonemic instruction, one group has used invented spelling, and the final group has had weekly spelling activities with high frequency words. Gretchen will likely use which of the following data analysis techniques to examine differences between these groups on a spelling test?

37.-40. Katrina has conducted a study that examines entering children's social skills. She has first-grade teachers rate students' social skills at the end of first grade. She then compares the scores of students who attended formal Pre-Kindergarten programs with those who did not. -Of the following, which best describes Katrina's study?

Laura is designing a study that examines difference in social skills between children raised in a three-generation family household compared to those raised in a two-generation family home. Laura is likely to study this research topic by use of

In an action research study, Katlyn examined attitudes about a new portfolio assignment she included in her advanced graphics class. She felt this assignment might result in more positive attitudes in her male students than in her female students. -Given Katlyn's study, which of the following is the independent variable?

Wendy is investigating differences in cardiovascular health between children who are involved in extra-curricular activities and those who are not. She decides to investigate only children who are average height and weight, with no existing heart conditions and no family history of obesity. Wendy has employed which method for controlling the extraneous variable in her study?

Given the following design, identify the most probable example of the study from the options below. E X₁ O C X₂ O

One strength of causal-comparative studies, in comparison to experimental studies, is that causal-comparative studies can examine _____________ while experimental studies can not.

Ruth collected data on boys' and girls' self-esteem. Which statistical procedure will Ruth employ to analyze differences between conditions?

Of the following, which is most typical of an independent variable in a causal-comparative study?

Which of the following statistical procedure will Ms. Angelo use to analyze her data?

It is the beginning of the school year and Ms. Angelo, an eighth grade teacher, is concerned about the students' standardized reading achievement test scores. She knows the current class did not do well the last time that they were tested. She decides to do a study to examine if there are differences in students' gain achievement scores from the last administration based upon the nature of the out of class reading she assigns during the school year. In two of her sections, she allows students to read seven books that they want to read. In two of her other sections, she assigns seven texts. In her last two sections she assigns four texts and allows students to select three. -What is the independent measure in Ms. Angelo's study?

Of the following, which is NOT a primary statistical procedure employed to analyze data in a causal-comparative study?

A causal-comparative study requires at least

Which of the following is most likely a dependent variable in a causal-comparative study?

Steve studies diet and endurance during extended swim practices. Which of the following represents a causal-comparative research question he might examine?

Ex post facto research is a term generally used to describe ________ research.

Jon is a school director interested in the benefits of community service for student self-esteem. He administers a self-esteem measure at the beginning of the school year and then assigns students to one of three types of community service activities. In one type of service, the students complete 5 hours of community service of their choice. In the second type, students conduct 5 hours of community service as a group painting and renovating a shelter. In the third type, each child works for 5 hours when they are available at the local soup kitchen. After the service is complete he again measures their self-esteem to see differences. -Which of the following might be a causal-comparative research question Jon first posed prior to designing his study?

It is the beginning of the school year and Ms. Angelo, an eighth grade teacher, is concerned about the students' standardized reading achievement test scores. She knows the current class did not do well the last time that they were tested. She decides to do a study to examine if there are differences in students' gain achievement scores from the last administration based upon the nature of the out of class reading she assigns during the school year. In two of her sections, she allows students to read seven books that they want to read. In two of her other sections, she assigns seven texts. In her last two sections she assigns four texts and allows students to select three. -What is the dependent measure in Ms. Angelo's study?

Jon is a school director interested in the benefits of community service for student self-esteem. He administers a self-esteem measure at the beginning of the school year and then assigns students to one of three types of community service activities. In one type of service, the students complete 5 hours of community service of their choice. In the second type, students conduct 5 hours of community service as a group painting and renovating a shelter. In the third type, each child works for 5 hours when they are available at the local soup kitchen. After the service is complete he again measures their self-esteem to see differences. -What is the dependent variable in Jon's study?