At a Large University,a Group of Education Specialists Tested the Effectiveness

question 3

Essay

At a large university,a group of education specialists tested the effectiveness of a new academic improvement course.Students seeking help at the university counseling center because of academic difficulties were asked to participate in this 4-week program.Only students who were judged to be deficient in reading comprehension and other study-related skills were chosen for the program.Students who sought help at the counseling center for emotional difficulties were included in the study as a comparison group.These students received the usual treatment offered at the counseling center.A group of 30 students completed the academic-improvement program at the counseling center.Average test grades from the students' courses for the two groups were compared before (midterm exams)and after (final exams)the program.Analyses revealed that a statistically significant majority of the students were doing better in school after completing the academic-improvement program than before.
Identify and describe two threats to internal validity in this study.That is,show why there are at least two plausible alternative hypotheses for the obtained change in grades other than due to the academic-improvement program.

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Definitions:

Methylphenidate

A stimulant medication commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, known commercially as Ritalin among others.

Stimulant

A substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body, often used to increase alertness, attention, and energy.

Operant Conditioning

The method of modifying the robustness of a behavior through the application of rewards or disciplinary actions.

Insight Therapy

A type of psychotherapy aimed at increasing a patient's awareness of underlying motives and defenses to improve mental health.