Deck 9: Experimental Design Research Methods

Question 1

A measure of the dependent variable prior to the application of the treatment in an experiment:

A) occurs pre-test.
B) occurs post-test.
C) does not happen in an experiment.
D) occurs during treatment.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The ability of an experimental design to document the causal relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable is referred to as the experiment's:

A) external validity.
B) generalizability.
C) internal validity.
D) reactivity.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

External validity is related to which of the following research methods concepts?

A) Generalizability
B) Instrumentation
C) Mortality
D) Reactivity

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Natural change among research subjects that can be a threat to the internal validity of an experiment's results is referred to as:

A) history.
B) maturation.
C) mortality.
D) regression.

Question 5

When research subjects change their behaviors after becoming aware of an experimental researcher's presence, it is referred to as:

A) maturation.
B) mortality.
C) reactivity.
D) regression.

Question 6

During an experiment on recidivism among juvenile offenders a researcher learned that 35 percent of the original participants moved out of state with their families. What type of threat to the internal validity of this experiment's results is this problem?

A) History
B) Maturation
C) Mortality
D) Testing

Question 7

An experimental researcher is attempting to determine if a cognitive intervention technique increases social awareness among violent offenders. To mitigate the potential for pre-test bias a researcher used two different tests to measure social awareness. The researcher later learns that the two tests (one used for the pre-test and the other for the post-test) were developed to measure separate parts of this concept. What type of threat to the internal validity of this experiment's results is this p

A) Maturation
B) Mortality
C) Testing
D) Instrumentation

Question 8

During an experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of a new public relations program used by a police department to improve its relationship with the community, an errant police officer shoots and kills an unarmed teenager. What type of threat to the internal validity of this experiment's results is this problem?

A) Maturation
B) Mortality
C) Regression
D) History

Question 9

An experimental researcher working with chronic adult offenders uses a ten-item inventory as a pre-test. He uses the very same ten-item inventory as a post-test. The time frame between the pre-test and post-test was less than a week. What type of threat to the internal validity of this experiment's results is this problem?

A) Maturation
B) Testing
C) Instrumentation
D) Regression

Question 10

During a multi-year experiment on the effect of an intervention program designed to reduce the potential for domestic violence, an experimental researcher learns that there is no difference in the frequency of domestic conflict between the men in the experimental and control groups. What type of threat to the internal validity of this experiment's results is this problem?

A) Mortality
B) Maturation
C) Instrumentation
D) Regression

Question 11

During an experiment involving young (12-14) juvenile offenders, a researcher learns that regardless of the treatment young juvenile offenders tend to 'age out' of their tendency to commit delinquent acts by the time they are 16 years old. What type of threat to the internal validity of this experiment's results is this problem?

A) History
B) Maturation
C) Mortality
D) Testing

Question 12

During an experiment a researcher decides to assign participants to the experimental and control groups based on their birthdays. The participants are juvenile offenders. Those born from January through June are assigned to the experimental group. The participants born from July through December are assigned to the control group. The experiment involves an assessment of academic achievement on the onset of juvenile delinquency. What type of threat to the external validity of this experiment's re

A) Reactivity
B) Selection bias
C) The combination of a and b.
D) Neither a nor b. There is no potential threat to external validity.

Question 13

To test the ability of a racial tolerance program for police officers, an experimental researcher 'rides along' with police officers to observe how they interact with racial and ethnic minorities. What type of threat to the external validity of this experiment's results is this problem?

A) Reactivity
B) Selection bias
C) The combination of a and b.
D) Neither a nor b. There is no potential threat to external validity.

Question 14

An experimental design model might be helpful in a study involving bullying behavior if:

A) enough bullies could be found to constitute a representative sample.
B) the study was intended to determine the cause of bullying behavior.
C) the school was willing to give the researchers access to the bullies.
D) the researchers were concerned about their own safety.

Question 15

An experiment has a single experimental group, a treatment or stimulus, and a post-test that measures the dependent variable after the treatment. What type of experimental design is being used?

A) A one group no pre-test experimental design model.
B) A one group pre-test/post-test experimental design model.
C) A two group no pre-test experimental design model.
D) A two group pre-test/post-test experimental design model.

Question 16

An experiment has two experimental groups and two control groups; a treatment or stimulus that is applied only to the experimental groups; protests that measure the dependent variable prior to the treatment for one of the experimental groups and one of the control groups; and post-tests that measure the dependent variable after exposure to the treatment for all groups. What type of experimental design is being used?

A) A one group no pre-test experimental design model.
B) A Solomon four group experimental design model.
C) A two group no pre-test experimental design model.
D) A two group pre-test/post-test experimental design model.

Question 17

A measure of the dependent variable after the application of the treatment in an experiment:

A) occurs pre-test.
B) occurs post-test.
C) does not happen in an experiment.
D) occurs during treatment.

Question 18

All experiments have the following features: (189-190)

A) an experimental group
B) treatment
C) a post-test
D) All of the above.

Question 19

The one-group, no pre-test experimental design model includes:

A) an experimental group
B) treatment
C) a post-test
D) All of the above.

Question 20

The one-group, no pre-test experimental design model does not include:

A) a pre-test
B) a control group
C) both a and b
D) neither a nor b

Question 21

During an experiment involving juvenile offenders at an alternative school, four of the participants are suspended from school, thus are no longer available to the researcher. This internal threat to validity is called:

A) mortality.
B) attrition.
C) history.
D) none, it is not a threat at all to the experiment.

Question 22

During an experiment on police officer fitness, several members of the control group become self-conscious about their weight and begin vigorously exercising. This external threat to validity is called:

A) morbidity.
B) mortality.
C) maturation.
D) reactivity.

Question 23

The two-group pre-test-post-test experimental design model includes an experimental group, treatment, a poshest, and:

A) a pre-test.
B) a control group.
C) neither a nor b.
D) both a and b.

Question 24

Change in a research subject due to natural biological or psychological development (rather than the treatment) is called:

A) developmental change.
B) maturation.
C) history.
D) subject growth.

Question 25

The group that is exposed to the treatment or stimulus believed to cause a change in the dependent variable is known as the:

A) control group.
B) experimental group.
C) post-test group.
D) selection group.

Question 26

The independent variable in an experimental design, or what the researcher is alleging to cause a change in the dependent variable, is also known as the:

A) control.
B) effect.
C) pre-test.
D) treatment.

Question 27

An experiment has equivalent experimental and control groups; a treatment or stimulus that is applied to the experimental but not the control group; and protests and post-tests that measure the dependent variable prior to and after exposure to the treatment or stimulus. What type of experimental design is being used?

A) A one group no pre-test experimental design model.
B) A one group pre-test/post-test experimental design model.
C) A two group no pre-test experimental design model.
D) A two group pre-test/post-test experimental design model.

Question 28

An experiment applies a treatment to a single experimental group and measures the dependent variable both before and after the application of this treatment. What type of experimental design is being used?

A) A one group no pre-test experimental design model.
B) A one group pre-test/post-test experimental design model.
C) A two group no pre-test experimental design model.
D) A two-group pre-test/post-test experimental design model.

Question 29

An experiment includes equivalent experimental and control groups, a treatment or stimulus that is applied to the experimental group, and a post-test that measures the dependent variable after the experimental group has been exposed to the treatment. What type of experimental design is being used?

A) A one group no pre-test experimental design model.
B) A one group pre-test/post-test experimental design model.
C) A two group no pre-test experimental design model.
D) A Solomon four group experimental design model.

Question 30

An experimental design model would be helpful in a study involving faith-based counseling and recidivism among violent ex-offenders if:

A) the research was intended to determine the actual effect that faith-based counseling has on recidivism.
B) faith-based counseling could be conceptually defined and measured.
C) some of the inmates were willing to recidivate in order to insure the results are publishable.
D) the prison wardens had a favorable opinion about faith-based counseling.