Basic Designs & Internal Validity

Independent Variable (IV) Dependent Variable (DV) Test Units

Extraneous Variables
Experiment (X)

Experimental Designs

Internal Validity It refers to whether the manipulation of IV actually caused the changes in DVs or is it due to changes in the extraneous variables. External Validity Whether the cause & effect relationship established can be generalized. Changes in Population units, settings, time etc. threaten external validity.

After Only

X O O1

Before After

Before After with Control CG : R O1

O2 X X X

TG :

After Only with Control CG: R

R R

O3

O2 O4 O2 O4 05 O6 O7 O8

TG:

Time Series Designs

O1 O2

O3

O4

History Specific external event happening at time of experiment affecting DV Maturation Changes in test units themselves during the course of experiment Testing a. Main Testing A pre measurement affects post measurement b. Interactive Testing A pre measurement affects the test units response to IV.

Instrumentation Changes in questionnaire/field staff Statistical Regression In post measurement, the test units with extreme scores tend to move towards average scores. Selection Bias Improper assignment of test units to treatment conditions. Mortality Loss of test units while experiment is in progress

Basic Design After Only Before-After

History -

Maturation -

Testing NA -

Instrum entation NA _

Regression NA -

Selection Bias -

Mortality -

Before-After with Control

After Only with Control

NA

NA

NA

Time Series

Randomization Random assignment of test units to experimental groups; Matching Comparing test units on a set of key background variables before assigning them to treatment conditions;

Statistical Control Using ANCOVA, an adjustment is made in DVs mean value within each treatment condition;

Design Control