Objectives

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Formulate research questions that are appropriate for experimental designs;
• Select an appropriate type of true experiment (Solomon four-group, randomized complete block, etc.) design to create unambiguous answers to research questions that call for an experimental design;
• Develop sampling and analytic strategies appropriate to the specific type of design selected;
• Interpret the results of true experiments; and
• Create experimental designs, including designs to assess the effects of programmatic interventions like educational programs.

Assigned Readings -- Read These

DeVaus, Ch. 4, 5 & 6; Please note that the designs described on page 59, paragraphs 3 and 4 (starting with “Another form of natural experiment...”) and the retrospective design described on pages 60-61 are not true experiments. They are quasi-experiments. We will discuss them next week.

Krause, M.S. & Howard K.I. (2003) What random assignment does and does not do. Journal of Clinical Psychology 59(7), 751-766.

Assigned Readings -- Read ONE of These

Haslum, M.N. (2007) What kind of evidence do we need for evaluating therapeutic interventions? Dyslexia 13, 234-239.

Henry, G.T. (2009). When getting it right matters: The case for high-quality policy and program impact evaluation. In S.I. Donaldson, C.A. Christina & M.M. Mark (eds.), What Counts as Credible Evidence in Applied Research and Evaluation Practice?, pp. 31-50, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA. e-reserve

Recommended Readings

Greeno, C.G. (2001) The skeleton: What underlies treatment research? Family Process 40(3), 361-363.

Greeno, C.G. (2001) The classical experimental design. Family Process 40(4), 495-499.

Rumrill, P.D., Jr. & Bellini, J.L. (1999) The logic of experimental design. J. Vocational Rehabilitation. 13, 65-70.

TenHave, T.R., Coyne, J., Salzer, M. & Katz, I. (2003) Research to improve the quality of care for depression: alternatives to the simple randomized clinical trial. General Hospital Psychiatry 25, 115-123.

Learning Guide: True Experiments

Advance Preparation
Statistics

True Experiments to Analyze Bring this to class with you this week and next week.