Quasi-experimentation: Design & Analysis Issues for Field SettingsThis book presents some quasi-experimental designs and design features that can be used in many social research settings. The designs serve to probe causal hypotheses about a wide variety of substantive issues in both basic and applied research. Each design is assessed in terms of four types of validity, with special stress on internal validity. Although general conclusions are drawn about the strengths and limitations of each design, emphasis is also placed on the fact that the relevant threats to valid inference are specific to each research setting. Consequently, a threat that is usually associated with a particular design need not invariably be associated with that design. |
Contents
Causal Inference and the Language of Experimentation | 1 |
Validity | 37 |
Nonequivalent Control Group Designs | 95 |
Copyright | |
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achievement alternative analysis ANCOVA ARIMA assume autocorrelation average bias blocking causal causal inference cause chapter compared component conclusions consider construct control group correlation covariate dependent direction discussion equal error estimate example expected experiment experimental Figure follow function given implemented important increase indicate individuals instance internal validity interpretations involved lags lead less matching mean measures ment methods multiple nature nonequivalent noted observations obtained occur outcome particular path pattern persons population possible posttest practical predicted present pretest probably problem procedure produce random random assignment randomized experiment received regression relationship represent respondents rule sample scores seasonal selection settings significant single social specified statistical suggest theory threats time-series tion treatment effect true units usually validity variables variance