For this Pause-Problem, consider the following study: A researcher would like to
ID: 3525001 • Letter: F
Question
For this Pause-Problem, consider the following study:
A researcher would like to conduct an experiment to test the effectiveness of a program designed to raise SAT scores. He wishes to obtain a sample of low-scoring high school students, administer the program, and then administer the SAT again. He hypothesizes that SAT scores will be higher after the program than before.
Pick out three potential validity threats to this study (internal or external) and describe what the researcher can do to limit each of those three threats
Explanation / Answer
The following factors may be potential validity threats in the study:
1. History: Events that occur besides the treatment (events in the environment) may infact be responsible for the change in the SAT scores. The use of a control group, obtaining as much information as possible about the participant and keeping the time gap between the pretest and posttest as short as possible would help control any history effects.
2. Repeated testing: Repeatedly measuring the participants may lead them to remember the correct answers and facilitate their performance due to practice. To encounter this issue, researchers can use alternative or parallel forms of the SAT. They can also use unobtrusive measures for collecting data for the baseline condition.
3. Selection bias: Selection bias refers to the problem that, at pre-test, differences between groups exist that may interact with the performance on the SAT. For this, random selection and random assignment of participants is essential.