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Describe the concept of 'history' as a threat to internal validity. In your explanation, define what history threats are, specify when they must occur relative to the study's measurements, and explain how they impact the interpretation of changes in the dependent variable.
Question: Describe the concept of 'history' as a threat to internal validity. In your explanation, define what history threats are, specify when they must occur relative to the study's measurements, and explain how they impact the interpretation of changes in the dependent variable.
Sample answer: In research design, history is a threat to internal validity where extraneous external events occur between the pretest and posttest measurements. These external events unintentionally cause a shift in the participants' scores on the dependent variable. Because the event occurs during the study period, it serves as an alternative explanation for the observed changes, making it impossible to determine if the independent variable was the true cause of the change.
Key points:
- History represents extraneous external events.
- These events must occur between the pretest and posttest measurements.
- They unintentionally cause a shift in participants' scores on the dependent variable.
- They act as an alternative explanation, confounding the study's results and threatening internal validity.
Rubric: Grade the response out of 3 points: 1 point for defining history as extraneous external events, 1 point for specifying that these events occur between the pretest and posttest measurements, and 1 point for explaining that they serve as an alternative explanation that confounds the causal effect of the independent variable.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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