TEST

WK6TEST.docx

Test for Understanding Study Guide

PSYC 3003 Week 6

This test contains 45 items with a time limit of 60 minutes. Because there is not a written Application Assignment covering quasi-experimental designs this week, approximately 2/3 of the test items are drawn from Chapter 14, and 1/3 are drawn from Chapter 7.

This study guide is available to help you organize your focus and preparation as you prepare to take the Test for Understanding on the content presented in the Learning Resources assigned for this week. Read the assigned chapters and take notes as needed on the topics listed within this guide.

Please note:The Course Instructor is available throughout the courseto assist you in your achievement of a better understanding of the course content; however, the Instructor will not provideyou with the answers to the study guide.

Chapter 7 – Naturalistic Methods

1. Be able to distinguish among examples of the following naturalistic research designs and corresponding methodology:

a. Observational

b. Case studies

c. Archival

2. Be familiar with how the following sampling methods are conducted:

a. Time

b. Event

c. Individual

3. What is systematic observation? Which of the above listed sampling methods involves this approach?

4. Be able to identify examples of methodology that involves the use of behavioral categories.

5. Be able to distinguish among the differences, and identify examples of, the following terms:

a. Acknowledged participant

b. Unacknowledged participant

c. Acknowledged observer

d. Unacknowledged observer

6. Why is interrater reliability important when collecting naturalistic observation data? How is interrater reliability conducted?

7. What is a content analysis? Which method(s) utilize this approach?

8. What are some ways to reduce observer bias in observational research?

9. What are the possible ethical concerns with researchers hiding their identity while conducting naturalistic methods?

Chapter 14 – Quasi-Experimental Research Designs

1. Know howquasi-experimental research is both alike and different from true experimental research methods.

2. Know how quasi-experimental research is both alike and different from correlational research.

3. Be able to identify the strengths and limitations of quasi-experimental designs.

4. Be a able to distinguish among, and identify examples of, the various types of quasi-experimental designs, including:

a. Participant variable

b. Single-participant

c. Single-group

d. Single-group before-after

e. Comparison-group

f. Comparison-group before-after

g. Reversal

h. Time-series

i. Longitudinal

j. Cross-sectional

k. Program evaluation

5. Be able to distinguish among, and identify examples of, the various threats to the validity of quasi-experimental designs listed above such as:

a. Attrition

b. Maturation

c. Selection

d. History

e. Retesting

6. Know which threats to validity (listed above) are associated with each of the different quasi-experimental designs.

7. Be familiar with the kinds of statistical analyses that are used to evaluate quasi-experimental research.

8. Know what is meant when there is a regression to the mean? Why could this potentially be a problem?