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Explain how the removal of a treatment in a reversal design increases the internal validity of a study compared to a simpler AB design. In your explanation, identify the key behavioral pattern researchers look for and the critical assumption that must be met regarding the treatment's effect.
Question: Explain how the removal of a treatment in a reversal design increases the internal validity of a study compared to a simpler AB design. In your explanation, identify the key behavioral pattern researchers look for and the critical assumption that must be met regarding the treatment's effect.
Sample answer: The removal of the treatment in a reversal design increases internal validity compared to an AB design by showing that the dependent variable changes when the treatment is introduced and reverts when the treatment is withdrawn. This pattern allows researchers to rule out extraneous variables as causes of the behavior change. However, this design relies on the critical assumption that the treatment does not create a permanent effect, as a permanent effect would prevent the behavior from reverting when the treatment is removed.
Key points:
- The removal of the treatment in a reversal design significantly increases internal validity compared to a simpler AB design.
- Internal validity is strengthened by showing that the dependent variable changes with treatment introduction and reverts upon treatment withdrawal.
- Reversion of the behavior helps researchers confidently rule out extraneous variables.
- The design assumes the treatment does not create a permanent effect.
Rubric: A complete response must state that removing the treatment rules out extraneous variables, explain that the dependent variable must change with the treatment and revert when it is withdrawn, contrast this with an AB design's lower internal validity, and identify the assumption that the treatment does not have a permanent effect.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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