Term
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Definition
| The level of control for the possible effects of extraneous variables on the dependent variable. |
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Term
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Definition
| The level of generalizability of the study results to other groups/settings beyond those in the current experiment. |
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Term
| Threats to internal validity |
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Definition
| Extraneous factors that affect the dependent variable. |
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Term
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Definition
When events occur b/w the pretest & posttest that impact the dependent variable (& affect participants).
possible solution: establish a control group to compare w/ the experimental group. |
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Term
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Definition
Changes in dependent variable, possibly resulting from elapsed time and not the independent variable.
Possible Solution: establish a control group to compare w/ the experimental group. |
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Term
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Definition
| Pretest measurement to obtain the status/level of variable prior to initiating a study. |
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Term
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Definition
| Exposure to baseline test helps participants/dependent variable to be "test-wise" (perform better on the next test). |
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Term
| IV/Inaccurate instrumentation |
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Definition
Instruments are inaccurate/not calibrated.
Possible solution: Calibrate the instruments; use same instrument for pretest and posttest. |
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Term
| IV/Nonstandardized procedures |
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Definition
Procedures are not standardized.
PS: Standardize all procedures! |
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Term
| IV/Incorrect written instrumentation |
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Definition
Instrumentation does not accurately measure study objectives (poorly designed questions).
PS:Improve instrument questions/design. |
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Term
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Definition
Randomly selected study participants may already have experimental effect.
PS: Recruit volunteers, then randomly assign them to groups; pretest groups on measures of dependent variables. |
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Term
| IV/Selection Maturation Effect |
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Definition
Different maturation levels of study groups.
PS:Pretest/prescreen group members re: maturity levels. |
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Term
| IV/Selection Maturation Effect |
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Definition
Different maturation levels of study groups.
PS:Pretest/prescreen group members re: maturity levels. |
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Term
| IV/Statistical Regression |
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Definition
Extreme high/low scores on participant pretest (extreme or minimal gains predicted).
PS: Random sample represents full range of abilities. |
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Term
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Definition
Loss of study participants.
PS: Oversampling, incentives (to complete study), compare demographic info of participants at beginning and end of study. |
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Term
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Definition
Participant attitudes (not the independent variable) toward participation in the study (because of being studied/observed) affects their behavior.
PS: Provide special treatment to control group w/o independent variable, then compare groups. |
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Term
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Definition
Participant attitudes/expectations (not the independent variable) affects behavior.
PS: Blind/double-blind study, placebo provided to control group, then compare groups. |
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Term
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Definition
One group's treatment contaminates another group's treatment.
PS: Keep treatment/control groups totally separate. |
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Term
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Definition
| Participant group which receives no independent variable (treatment). |
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Term
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Definition
Treatment groups are located at separate locations (-possibly to prevent Hawthorne Effect), locations/environments are different enough to affect the dependent variable differently.
PS: Same location for all participants, or minimize differences at the different locations. |
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Term
| IV/Implementation Effect/Threat |
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Definition
Individual(s) implementing the treatment/dependent variable introduce inequality/bias into the study (one person implements better than another person).
PS: Implementers are equally competent and trained; standardized implementation protocol; all implementers work w/ all groups; one neutral presenter for all groups; neutral observers for group presentations. |
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Term
| EV/Selection Treatment Interaction |
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Definition
Overgeneralizing to groups for whom the study results don't apply.
PS: Present data showing intact treatment group is representative of intended population on one/more variables; random sample of participants from study population. |
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Term
| EV/Setting Treatment Interaction |
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Definition
| Duplicating the environmental setting/conditions in other settings, due to the differences b/w settings/participants. |
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Term
| EV/History Treatment Interaction |
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Definition
Generalizing findings to past/future situations.
PS: Focus applications to the most effective time period; minimize/eliminate effects of extraneous variables at other time periods. |
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