A Researcher Tested a Group of Students First Time in Second

question 21

Multiple Choice

A researcher tested a group of students first time in second grade and the second time in the middle of the third grade. The second test indicated significant improvement, but after reviewing the test scores the researcher became concerned that he could not be sure whether the scores were a result of the treatment or a result of the students' having gained more life experience in a year-and-a-half. What threat to internal validity is this researcher worried about?

• A) Maturation
• B) Testing
• C) Differential selection
• D) Instrumentation

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Definitions:

Type I

Often refers to a classification in various contexts, such as Type I diabetes, characterized by the body's inability to produce sufficient insulin.

Growth Rate

The rate at which a population, organism, or economic measure increases in size over a given period of time.

Exponential Growth

A process of increase in number or size, at a constantly growing rate.

J-shaped Curve

A concept or graphical representation showing a relationship between two variables where an initial increase in the independent variable results in a decrease in the dependent variable, followed by a significant increase.