Quasi-Experiments
Oct. 31, 2011

Objectives:

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • Formulate research questions that are appropriate for experimental designs;
  • Select an appropriate type of quasi-experiment (one-group pretest-posttest design, posttest only with nonequivalent groups, etc.) design to create unambiguous answers to research questions that call for an experimental design;
  • Use procedures to strengthen the design selected in order to enhance internal and external validity;
  • Develop sampling and analytic strategies appropriate to the specific type of design selected;
  • Interpret the results of quasi-experiments; and
  • Create quasi-experimental designs, including designs to assess the effects of programmatic interventions like educational programs.

Assigned Readings

Greeno, C.G. (2002) Major alternatives to the classic experimental design. Family Process 41(4), 733-736. Make sure you read this carefully

Shadish, W.R., Cook, T.D. & Campbell, D.T. (2002) Quasi-experimental designs that either lack a control group or lack pretest observations on the outcome. Pp. 103-134 in Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Generalized Causal Inference, Wadsworth, Belmont, CA. e-reserve Make sure you read this carefully

Gersten, R., Baker, S. & Lloyd, J.W. (2000) Designing high-quality research in special education: group experimental design Journal of Special Education 34(1), 2-18.

Solomon, B.R., Draine, P., DeMoya, J. & Wickrema, R. (1998) Design-based evaluations: Process studies, experiments and quasi-experiments. Scandanavian Journal of Social Welfare 7, 126-131.

Recommended Readings
 None

Learning Guide: Quasi-Experiments

Other Advance Preparation
 Bring the Statistics Cheat Sheet

Come to class prepared to answer the questions on this Guide to Data Analysis for Experiments & Quasi-Experiments
Research Reports
 Quasi-Experimental Designs The same caveats apply to this list as the list for experimental designs -- may have a weak theoretical foundation, may lack a specific discussion of the theoretical foundation, could even be misidentified in terms of design. However, it's a place to start.

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