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Define a nonequivalent groups design and explain the primary reason why comparison groups in this design are considered 'nonequivalent'. Provide a concise analytical response based on the fundamental characteristics of this quasi-experimental approach.
Question: Define a nonequivalent groups design and explain the primary reason why comparison groups in this design are considered 'nonequivalent'. Provide a concise analytical response based on the fundamental characteristics of this quasi-experimental approach.
Sample answer: A nonequivalent groups design is a specific type of between-subjects design and a quasi-experimental approach where researchers do not use random assignment to allocate participants to conditions. Because random assignment is absent, the comparison groups are nonequivalent, meaning they likely have inherent, pre-existing differences prior to the start of the research.
Key points:
- It is a type of between-subjects design and quasi-experimental approach.
- Researchers do not use random assignment to allocate participants to conditions.
- The resulting comparison groups are likely to have inherent, pre-existing differences.
Rubric: Award full credit if the student identifies it as a between-subjects or quasi-experimental design, states the lack of random assignment, and explains that this leads to pre-existing differences between the groups.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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