Modules

Module Eight    Part I: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research

  Based on the text, briefly state the primary purpose(s) for experimental research.

  List the basic steps involved in conducting an experiment.

  Explain the purpose of control.

  Given the terms: internal validity and external validity, create a definition/description for each term.

  Identify and briefly describe eight major threats to internal validity.

  Identify and describe six major threats to external validity.

  Identify and briefly describe five ways to control extraneous variables.

  Given an empirical research article; identify the participant(s), independent variable(s), dependent variable(s), extraneous variable(s), type (experimental or quasi-experimental), experimental group, control group, research question, research hypothesis, null hypothesis, research design (see pages 372-382 of your text), data collection, data reduction technique(s), and conclusions reached. 

  Given an experimental or quasi-experimental research article, identify the threats to internal validity.

  Given an experimental or quasi-experimental research article, identify the threats to external validity.

  Given an experimental or quasi-experimental research article, evaluate the strength of the research design.

Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research: Definitions 
Characteristics of Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research 
Primary Purpose for Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research  
Research Designs within Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research 
Click here to access additional Module 8 Notes.

Activities 

   Striving for Control 

With your group and using the empirical research article, "Reading for Meaning: The Efficacy of Reciprocal Teaching in Fostering Reading Comprehension in High School Students in Remedial Reading Classes", answer the following questions: 
 

1. Who are the participant(s)? 
2. What are the variables of interest? 
3. Identify which of those variables (in #2) are independent variable(s) and which are dependent variable(s). 
4. Are there any extraneous variable(s)? List no more than 3. 
5. Is this an experimental or quasi-experimental study? 
6. What method was used to select participants (sampling)? 
7. What is the research question(s)? 
8. What is the research hypothesis(ses)? 
9. What is the null hypothesis(ses)? There MUST be one in this type of research design.  
10. What methods were used to collect the data? 
 
We will address additional questions using this same article in the next module. Only address these 10 for now. 
 
  Submit your group work to Dr. McConney or to Dr. Abalos under the heading, "Striving for Control." See course syllabus for the date the assignment is due.
 

  Defining Moment 

Based on your research question presented during Module Two, with your group members, present any definitions you will include in the final project.  
 

  Post your answers on the  WebBoard under the heading, "Defining Moment."

See course syllabus for the date the assignment is due.

Please note: this WebBoard link is for Dr. McConney's section only.

Dr. Abalos' students please open another window in your browser, and log on to http://onyx.fgcu.edu/~134

  Summary Two 

Remember to be looking for empirical research articles related to your research question.  

With your group, summarize a second one of the research articles you will be using in the project.  
 

  Submit group summary via email to Dr. McConney or to Dr. Abalos under the heading, "Summary Two."

See course syllabus for the date the assignment is due.

Please note: this WebBoard link is for Dr. McConney's section only.

Dr. Abalos' students please open another window in your browser, and log on to http://onyx.fgcu.edu/~134