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

question 60

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.
What major threats to internal validity are controlled by this research design?

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Definitions:

Tegmentum

Floor (area below the ventricle) of the midbrain; a collection of nuclei with movement-related, species-specific, and pain perception functions.

Cardiovascular System

The body's system comprising the heart and blood vessels, responsible for circulating blood and transporting nutrients, oxygen, and waste products.

Regulation

The process of controlling or managing a certain function or process, typically through guidelines or rules.