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A clinical researcher wants to evaluate a training program that permanently teaches deep breathing techniques to reduce anxiety using a reversal design. Apply the core assumption of reversal designs to explain why this program is not suitable for this specific research design.
Question: A clinical researcher wants to evaluate a training program that permanently teaches deep breathing techniques to reduce anxiety using a reversal design. Apply the core assumption of reversal designs to explain why this program is not suitable for this specific research design.
Sample answer: Reversal designs require the assumption that the treatment does not create a permanent effect so that the behavior can revert to baseline when the treatment is withdrawn. Because the deep breathing training permanently teaches a skill, the participant's anxiety levels will not return to baseline during the withdrawal phase. Consequently, the design cannot rule out extraneous variables or establish internal validity.
Key points:
- Reversal designs assume that the treatment does not have a permanent effect.
- Because the coping skill is learned permanently, the anxiety behavior will not revert during the withdrawal phase.
- Without behavioral reversion, the researcher cannot rule out extraneous variables to establish internal validity.
Rubric: The response should state that because the training has a permanent effect, the behavior will not revert to baseline during the withdrawal phase, which violates the core assumption of reversal designs and prevents the researcher from ruling out extraneous variables.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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