A Researcher Is Carrying Out a Study of the Effects

question 1

Multiple Choice

A researcher is carrying out a study of the effects of teaching different approaches to argumentation on writing persuasive essays. He pretests the participants by having them write three persuasive essays prior to the study, and three essays after the study. He has two individuals grade all the essays. The two individuals were given no training prior to the study. The essays from the students in the study actually looked worse rather than better after the study. Based on the information presented above, what threat to internal validity could explain the contradictory finding?

• A) Selection
• B) Maturation effect
• C) Instrumentation
• D) History effect

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Definitions:

Conditions

Conditions typically refer to the circumstances or factors affecting the way in which people live or work, especially with regard to their safety or well-being.

Decisions

Choices made by individuals or groups after considering alternatives and outcomes.

Creativity

The ability to produce original and unusual ideas, or to make something new and imaginative.

Organization

A structured group of people who come together to meet a common goal, such as a business or charity.