Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Research Methods For The Behavioral Sciences 5th Edition Gravetter Test Bank
Research Methods For The Behavioral Sciences 5th Edition Gravetter Test Bank
2. An experiment that uses a different group of participants for each treatment condition is called a ____ design.
a. single-subjects
b. between-subjects
c. within-subject
d. matched groups
ANSWER: b
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.01 - Describe the defining characteristics that differentiate a between-
subjects design and a within-subjects design, and identify these designs when they appear in
the literature.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
3. A between-subjects design differs from a within-subjects design in that in a between-subjects design, ____.
a. only one group of participants is used
b. only variables “between” the participants are examined
c. there is a different group of participants for each treatment conditions
d. each participant is exposed to each level of the independent variable
ANSWER: c
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.01 - Describe the defining characteristics that differentiate a between-
subjects design and a within-subjects design, and identify these designs when they appear in
the literature.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
4. In an experiment examining the effects of size of plate on amount of food eaten, one group of participants is measured
after eating food on 12 inch plates. A week later, the same group of participants is measured after eating food on 10 inch
plates. This is an example of a ____ design.
a. single-subjects
b. between-subjects
c. within-subjects
d. matched groups
ANSWER: c
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.01 - Describe the defining characteristics that differentiate a between-
subjects design and a within-subjects design, and identify these designs when they appear in
the literature.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Apply
5. In an experiment examining the effects of size of plate on amount of food eaten, one group of participants is measured
after eating food on 12-inch plates. Another group of participants is measured after eating food on 10-inch plates. This is
an example of a ____ design.
a. single-subjects
b. between-subjects
c. within-subjects
d. matched groups
ANSWER: b
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.01 - Describe the defining characteristics that differentiate a between-
subjects design and a within-subjects design, and identify these designs when they appear in
the literature.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Apply
9. A between-subjects experiment comparing four treatment conditions produces 20 scores in each treatment condition.
How many individuals participated in the entire experiment?
a. 1
b. 4
c. 20
d. 80
ANSWER: d
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.02 - Explain the general advantages and disadvantages of between-
subjects design compared to within-subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Apply
10. If a between-subjects experiment produces 50 scores in treatment 1 and 50 scores in treatment 2, then the experiment
must have employed ____.
a. 25 participants
b. 50 participants
c. 100 participants
d. 200 participants
ANSWER: c
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.02 - Explain the general advantages and disadvantages of between-
subjects design compared to within-subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Apply
13. In a between-subjects experiment, when the process of assigning participants to the treatment conditions produces
groups with different characteristics, the ____of the study is threatened.
a. internal validity
b. external validity
c. reliability
d. accuracy
ANSWER: a
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.2 Individual Differences as Confounding Variables
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.03 - Define individual differences and explain how assignment bias and
confounding from environmental variables can threaten the internal validity of a between-
subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
14. When ____ occurs in a between-subjects experiment, it is impossible to determine whether differences between
groups are caused by the treatments or by participant characteristics.
a. fatigue
b. practice
c. assignment bias
d. resentful demoralization
ANSWER: c
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.2 Individual Differences as Confounding Variables
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.03 - Define individual differences and explain how assignment bias and
confounding from environmental variables can threaten the internal validity of a between-
subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
15. In a between-subjects design, the separate groups must be as ____.
a. similar in participant characteristics as possible
b. different in all environmental variables as possible
c. similar in treatment conditions as possible
d. similar on the dependent variable measures as possible.
ANSWER: a
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.2 Individual Differences as Confounding Variables
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.03 - Define individual differences and explain how assignment bias and
confounding from environmental variables can threaten the internal validity of a between-
subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
17. Because random assignment is likely to create groups of different sizes, researchers often employ ____.
a. restricted random assignment
b. matched random assignment
c. simple random assignment
d. sampling
ANSWER: a
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.3 Limiting Confounding by Individual Differences
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.04 - Identify the three primary techniques for limiting confounding by
individual differences in between-subjects experiments (random assignment, matched
assignment, and holding variables constant) and explain how each one works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
18. An advantage of holding a variable constant rather than using random assignment to form your groups is that holding
a variable constant ____.
a. reduces error due to participant differences
b. is easier than randomization
c. prevents confounding
d. ensures a nonbiased sample
ANSWER: c
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.3 Limiting Confounding by Individual Differences
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.04 - Identify the three primary techniques for limiting confounding by
individual differences in between-subjects experiments (random assignment, matched
assignment, and holding variables constant) and explain how each one works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
20. A limitation of using matching rather than random assignment to form groups in a between-subjects experiment is that
matching ____.
a. requires another level of work
b. increases error due to participant differences
c. requires at least twice as many participants
d. increases the need for control groups
ANSWER: a
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.3 Limiting Confounding by Individual Differences
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.04 - Identify the three primary techniques for limiting confounding by
individual differences in between-subjects experiments (random assignment, matched
assignment, and holding variables constant) and explain how each one works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
21. Holding a participant characteristic (such as age or gender) constant strengthens ____ and
weakens ____.
a. internal validity; external validity
b. external validity; internal validity
c. reliability; validity
d. accuracy; reliability
ANSWER: a
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.3 Limiting Confounding by Individual Differences
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.04 - Identify the three primary techniques for limiting confounding by
individual differences in between-subjects experiments (random assignment, matched
assignment, and holding variables constant) and explain how each one works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
22. Holding a variable constant prevents a participant characteristic from becoming a confound by ____.
a. eliminating variability in that characteristic
b. reducing error
c. ensuring a nonbiased sample
d. increasing the differences between the groups
ANSWER: a
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.3 Limiting Confounding by Individual Differences
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.04 - Identify the three primary techniques for limiting confounding by
individual differences in between-subjects experiments (random assignment, matched
assignment, and holding variables constant) and explain how each one works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
23. In a between-subjects design, individual differences (participant variables) are a problem because they can ____.
a. become confounding variables
b. decrease variability of the scores
c. preclude the use of statistical analyses
d. produce fatigue effects
ANSWER: a
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.05 - Describe how individual differences influence variability, both
between-treatment differences and within-treatments variance, and explain how variance
within treatments can influence the interpretation of research results.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
26. Increasing variance within groups ____ the likelihood of finding a difference between the treatment conditions.
a. increases
b. decreases
c. does not affect
d. increase, then decreases
ANSWER: b
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.05 - Describe how individual differences influence variability, both
between-treatment differences and within-treatments variance, and explain how variance
within treatments can influence the interpretation of research results.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
27. Standardizing procedures, standardizing treatment settings, and limiting individual differences all have the effect of
____.
a. reducing variance between treatments
b. increasing variance within treatments
c. increasing variance between treatments
d. reducing variance within treatments
ANSWER: d
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.06 - Identify the options for reducing or controlling the variance within
treatment condition and explain how each option works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
28. In a between-subjects design, holding constant a participant characteristic, such as age or gender, is one way to ____.
a. reduce the variance within treatments
b. maximize the variance within treatments
c. increase individual differences.
d. increase sample size
ANSWER: a
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.06 - Identify the options for reducing or controlling the variance within
treatment condition and explain how each option works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
32. What is one risk in a study, whether or not participants in different groups are able to communicate with each other?
a. resentful demoralization
b. compensatory equalization
c. diffusion
d. differential attrition
ANSWER: d
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.5 Other Threats to Internal Validity of Between-Subjects Designs
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.07 - Describe how differential attrition and communication between
participants can threaten the internal validity of between-subjects designs and identify these
problems when they appear in a research study.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analyze
35. What is the most common statistical analysis for a single-factor two-group design?
a. ANOVA
b. independent-measures t test
c. repeated-measures t test
d. regression
ANSWER: b
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.6 Applications and Statistical Analyses of Between-Subjects Designs
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.08 - Describe how between-subjects designs are used to compare means
and proportions for two or more groups, identify the statistical techniques that are appropriate
for each application, and explain each design’s strengths and weaknesses.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
36. What is the most common statistical analysis for a single-factor multiple-group design?
a. ANOVA
b. independent-measures t test
c. repeated-measures t test
d. regression
ANSWER: a
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.6 Applications and Statistical Analyses of Between-Subjects Designs
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.08 - Describe how between-subjects designs are used to compare means
and proportions for two or more groups, identify the statistical techniques that are appropriate
for each application, and explain each design’s strengths and weaknesses.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
37. When comparing means in a two-group design, which statistical analysis is most appropriate?
a. independent-measures t test
b. repeated-measures t test
c. single-factor analysis of variance
d. chi-square test for independence
ANSWER: a
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.6 Applications and Statistical Analyses of Between-Subjects Designs
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.08 - Describe how between-subjects designs are used to compare means
and proportions for two or more groups, identify the statistical techniques that are appropriate
for each application, and explain each design’s strengths and weaknesses.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
39. When comparing means in a single-factor multiple group design, which statistical analysis is most appropriate?
a. independent-measures t test
b. repeated-measures t test
c. single-factor analysis of variance
d. chi-square test for independence
ANSWER: c
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.6 Applications and Statistical Analyses of Between-Subjects Designs
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.08 - Describe how between-subjects designs are used to compare means
and proportions for two or more groups, identify the statistical techniques that are appropriate
for each application, and explain each design’s strengths and weaknesses.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
41. A between-subjects experiment comparing three treatments requires three separate groups of participants.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.01 - Describe the defining characteristics that differentiate a between-
subjects design and a within-subjects design, and identify these designs when they appear in
the literature.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
42. One characteristic of a between-subjects design is that the data consist of exactly one score for each participant.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.01 - Describe the defining characteristics that differentiate a between-
subjects design and a within-subjects design, and identify these designs when they appear in
the literature.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
43. A between-subjects experiment with 25 scores in treatment I and 25 scores in treatment II must have a total of 25
participants in the experiment.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.01 - Describe the defining characteristics that differentiate a between-
subjects design and a within-subjects design, and identify these designs when they appear in
the literature.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
44. One advantage of a between-subjects design is that each score is completely independent of the other scores in the
data.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.02 - Explain the general advantages and disadvantages of between-
subjects design compared to within-subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
45. An advantage of between-subjects designs is that they require fewer participants than are typically needed for within-
subjects designs.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.02 - Explain the general advantages and disadvantages of between-
subjects design compared to within-subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
46. In a between-subjects experimental design, individual differences can become a confounding variable.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.2 Individual Differences as Confounding Variables
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.03 - Define individual differences and explain how assignment bias and
confounding from environmental variables can threaten the internal validity of a between-
subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
47. In a between-subjects experiment, if the participants in one group are noticeably older than the participants in another
group, then participant age is a confounding variable and threatens the internal validity of the experiment.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.2 Individual Differences as Confounding Variables
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.03 - Define individual differences and explain how assignment bias and
confounding from environmental variables can threaten the internal validity of a between-
subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Apply
48. Assignment bias can threaten the internal validity of between-subjects experiments.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.2 Individual Differences as Confounding Variables
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.03 - Define individual differences and explain how assignment bias and
confounding from environmental variables can threaten the internal validity of a between-
subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
49. Random assignment guarantees that participant characteristics do not become a confounding variable.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.3 Limiting Confounding by Individual Differences
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.04 - Identify the three primary techniques for limiting confounding by
individual differences in between-subjects experiments (random assignment, matched
assignment, and holding variables constant) and explain how each one works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
50. In a between-subjects experiment, increasing the variance within treatments increases the likelihood of finding
significant differences between treatments.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.05 - Describe how individual differences influence variability, both
between-treatment differences and within-treatments variance, and explain how variance
within treatments can influence the interpretation of research results.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
51. In a between-subjects experiment, one way to reduce the variance within treatments is to create more homogeneous
groups by holding constant a participant characteristic such as age or gender.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.05 - Describe how individual differences influence variability, both
between-treatment differences and within-treatments variance, and explain how variance
within treatments can influence the interpretation of research results.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
52. For a between-subjects experiment, any factor that increases the variance within treatments also increases the
likelihood of finding a significant difference between treatments.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.05 - Describe how individual differences influence variability, both
between-treatment differences and within-treatments variance, and explain how variance
within treatments can influence the interpretation of research results.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analysis
53. A disadvantage of holding a variable constant is that it limits an experiment’s external validity.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.06 - Identify the options for reducing or controlling the variance within
treatment condition and explain how each option works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
54. Holding a variable constant guarantees that the variable cannot become a confounding variable.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.06 - Identify the options for reducing or controlling the variance within
treatment condition and explain how each option works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
55. Matching a variable across treatment guarantees that the variable cannot become a confounding variable.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.06 - Identify the options for reducing or controlling the variance within
treatment condition and explain how each option works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
56. Randomizing a variable across treatments guarantees that the variable cannot become a confounding variable.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.06 - Identify the options for reducing or controlling the variance within
treatment condition and explain how each option works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
57. Holding a participant variable constant has the double advantage of (1) preventing the variable from becoming a
confounding variable, and (2) reducing variance within groups.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.06 - Identify the options for reducing or controlling the variance within
treatment condition and explain how each option works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
58. Differential attrition can threaten the internal validity of a between-subjects experiment.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.5 Other Threats to Internal Validity of Between-Subjects Designs
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.07 - Describe how differential attrition and communication between
participants can threaten the internal validity of between-subjects designs and identify these
problems when they appear in a research study.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
59. Validity is threatened in a between-subjects design when participants in one group have an opportunity to talk with
participants in the other.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.5 Other Threats to Internal Validity of Between-Subjects Designs
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.07 - Describe how differential attrition and communication between
participants can threaten the internal validity of between-subjects designs and identify these
problems when they appear in a research study.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
60. In a between-subjects design, to compare proportions between groups, an independent-measures t test is appropriate.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.6 Applications and Statistical Analyses of Between-Subjects Designs
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.08 - Describe how between-subjects designs are used to compare means
and proportions for two or more groups, identify the statistical techniques that are appropriate
for each application, and explain each design’s strengths and weaknesses.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Understand
63. Describe why the assignment of subjects to the conditions of an experiment in a between-subjects design is such a
critical issue.
ANSWER: By assigning participants to conditions, a researcher can take steps to ensure that the different
groups are equivalent before any treatments are administered. If the groups are equivalent
before treatment but different after treatment, the researcher can be reasonably confident that
the treatments are responsible for causing the differences.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.2 Individual Differences as Confounding Variables
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.03 - Define individual differences and explain how assignment bias and
confounding from environmental variables can threaten the internal validity of a between-
subjects design.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Evaluate
64. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of matching groups of participants in a between-subjects experiment.
ANSWER: The advantage of matching groups of participants in a between-subjects experiment is that it
is a relatively easy way to ensure that specific variables do not become confounding
variables. The disadvantages of matching include: a) the measurement procedure adds
another level of work to the study, b) it can be difficult to match groups on several different
variables simultaneously, c) groups cannot be matched on every single variable that might
differentiate participants.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.3 Limiting Confounding by Individual Differences
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.04 - Identify the three primary techniques for limiting confounding by
individual differences in between-subjects experiments (random assignment, matched
assignment, and holding variables constant) and explain how each one works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Evaluate
65. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of holding a participant characteristic constant in a between-subjects
experiment.
ANSWER: The advantage of holding a variable constant in a between-subjects experiment is that it is an
effective way to prevent a variable from confounding a research study. However, the
disadvantage is that by preventing the natural range of variation, the external validity of the
research is limited.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.3 Limiting Confounding by Individual Differences
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.04 - Identify the three primary techniques for limiting confounding by
individual differences in between-subjects experiments (random assignment, matched
assignment, and holding variables constant) and explain how each one works.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Evaluate
66. Create an example of a between-subjects experiment. Identify the independent and dependent variables and briefly
describe the experiment. Indicate the number of levels of the independent variable and identify them.
ANSWER: Student answers will vary but should all include a manipulated independent variable that
creates two or more treatment conditions and a dependent variable that is measured in each
treatment condition. To qualify as a between-subjects experiment, there must be a separate
group of participants for each of the different treatment conditions.
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.01 - Describe the defining characteristics that differentiate a between-
subjects design and a within-subjects design, and identify these designs when they appear in
the literature.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Apply
67. Describe some of the problems that can develop if participants from different treatment conditions have an
opportunity to talk with each other during the course of the experiment.
ANSWER: If participants in a no-treatment condition talk with participants in a treatment condition they
may learn about the treatment and adopt some of the treatment components. This leads to
diffusion of treatment. If participants in an inferior condition learn about a superior treatment
being received by others, they may demand equal treatment (compensatory equalization),
they may become extra motivated to make up for the inferior treatment (compensatory
rivalry), or they may give up in the face of a hopeless situation (resentful demoralization).
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
REFERENCES: 8.5 Other Threats to Internal Validity of Between-Subjects Designs
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: GRAV.METH.16.08.07 - Describe how differential attrition and communication between
participants can threaten the internal validity of between-subjects designs and identify these
problems when they appear in a research study.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Evaluate