Explain why advocates of group research would question the researcher's claim that this treatment is ready for widespread adoption. In your explanation, demonstrate your understanding of the relationship between sample size and external validity in this context.
Case context: A researcher conducts a single-subject study with two children who exhibit self-injurious behaviors. The study finds that a specific behavioral treatment significantly reduces self-injury in both children. Based on these strong results, the researcher claims that this treatment is ready for widespread clinical adoption for all children with intellectual disabilities. Advocates of group research review the study and express serious doubts about the generalizability of these findings.
Question: Explain why advocates of group research would question the researcher's claim that this treatment is ready for widespread adoption. In your explanation, demonstrate your understanding of the relationship between sample size and external validity in this context.
Sample answer: Advocates of group research would question the claim because the study relies on a very small sample size of only two children. This makes it difficult to know whether the treatment's success will generalize to other children with intellectual disabilities in the broader population. Although the treatment was effective for these specific two children, the small sample size limits the study's external validity, meaning we cannot assume the treatment will be effective for other individuals.
Key points:
- The study relies on a very small sample size (only two children).
- Small sample size limits the external validity (generalizability) of the findings.
- It is difficult to know if the treatment will be effective for other children with intellectual disabilities in the broader population.
Rubric: To receive full credit, the answer must: 1) Explain that the reliance on only two participants makes generalization difficult. 2) Comprehend that the small sample size limits the study's external validity. 3) Show understanding that success in these specific children does not guarantee effectiveness for other children with intellectual disabilities.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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