Concept Review Research in Psych, 7e: Study Guide, Chapter 10 10-1
After you finish reading and studying each main section of the chapter, print out this document and answer the following questions to test your comprehension.
Beyond the Laboratory o Use the Research example on the “cognitive interview” to illustrate the nature of applied research and the close relationship between basic and applied research.
o When psychology first emerged as an independent discipline at the end of the 19th century, psychologists were under pressure to show that their work could be applied to benefit society. Describe the Hollingworth example.
o Applied research sometimes involves a trade-off between internal and external validity. Explain.
Quasi-Experimental Designs o What is the defining feature of a study said to be “quasi-experimental?”
o What are the essential features of a nonequivalent control group design and why are they said to have a built-in confound?
o Explain how a selection x history problem can make it difficult to interpret what seems to be a successful outcome to a nonequivalent control group study.
o What is the danger of matching nonequivalent groups on pretest scores?
o Explain how a regression to the mean effect clouded the interpretation of some early research on the effectiveness of Head Start.
o In the Research example on “coach effectiveness training,” the researchers chose to use a nonequivalent control group design (coaches from one league got the training; coaches from another league did not) instead of an experimental design (randomly assigning coaches from both leagues to training and no training groups). Why did they opt for the quasi-experimental design?
o Not all nonequivalent control group designs use pre- and posttesting. Show how the earthquake study, which did not use pretests, still met the defining features of a nonequivalent control group design.
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o What is the defining feature of an interrupted time series design?
o In the Research example by Wagner, a time series design evaluated the effects of a worker incentive program on productivity and the program seemed to be effective. How did Wagner address the problem of threats to the internal validity of his study?
o What is the logic behind the use of an interrupted time series with switching replications?
o Use the study on California’s “three strikes” law to show how time series designs can be used to evaluate trends.
o What is archival research and why is most likely to be quasi-experimental in nature?
o What are the strengths and weaknesses of archival research?
o Use the hospital “room with a view” study to show how independent variables can be used in archival research, how group nonequivalence can be reduced, and how some degree of experimental control can be achieved.
Program Evaluation o Use the Connecticut crackdown on speeding example to show how the use of a control comparison can make it easier to interpret the results of a time series design.
o In the presence of a good needs analysis, people might be “misled” into developing a new program because of the availability heuristic. Explain.
o Describe four different sources of information that could contribute to a needs analysis.
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o Describe the main elements of the needs analysis completed by the Du Pont Company before they implemented a program to promote healthy behaviors in the workplace.
o How does a formative evaluation differ from a summative evaluation? What is the purpose of each?
o Program administrators and workers generally welcome formative evaluations but get quite anxious about summative evaluations. Why?
o In program evaluation, a finding of “no difference” can often be an important outcome for program decision-making. Explain.
o What is the essential goal of a cost-effectiveness analysis? Use the wqorkplace wellness example to illustrate
o Give two examples of how program evaluation research can utilize qualitative research?
o Those completing program evaluation research often face ethical dilemmas not found in traditional laboratory research. Describe three examples to illustrate the point.
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