Quasi-Experiment

Quasi experiments are studies which utilize planned and intentional treatments as the independent variable, but lack the feature of random assignment. Random assignment is a key feature of true experiments so technically, quasi experiments are not considered to be true studies. Although, they can possess a pre and post design method, control groups and treatment groups, which are characteristics of true experiments¹.

Quasi experiments are rather similar to natural experiments, with the main difference being that the independent variable, the treatment, is consciously chosen. There is nothing unintentional about the variable used. The independent variable can be either continuous or categorical in nature. Although, due to the bias nature of selection with these experiments, a researcher can never be completely sure whether the independent variable is causing a change in the dependent variable or if it is simply the result of an exogenous factor¹.

Quasi experiments tend to generate more casual relationships. Often comparison groups are used to make inferences. However, these groups are not truly control groups because the selection of subjects to each group does not follow a randomized process.

For example, a study done in Scotland analyzed whether there was a link between implementing a walking program for children to travel to school and influencing children to continue to walk to school throughout the year². A comparison was then made with another school close by which lacked this program, but was similar in terms of demographics and socioeconomic culture². This illustrates the non-randomized nature of quasi-experiments because the subjects used did not have a choice over which school they attended. This study was then used to make inferences on whether this type of program would be helpful in encouraging a culture of walking to school.

References:

1. National Center for Technology Innovation. (2014). Quasi-Experimental Study. Retrieved from: http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/index.php/products/at-research-matters/quasi-experimental-study/

2. Sagepub. (2014). Natural and Quasi Experiments. Retrieved from: http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/33935_Chapter13.pdf

BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

Quasi-Experiments - What design to use?

A psychology professor is interested in whether implementing weekly quizzes improves student learning. She decides to use the weekly quizzes in one section of her introductory psychology class and not to use them in another section of the same course. Which type of quasi-experimental design do you recommend for this study?

Quasi Experiments

Please see attachment for case study. 1. What research question(s) does the study address? 2. What is Goldberg's rationale for the study? Was the study designed to contribute to theory? Do the results of the study contribute to theory? For both questions: If so, how? If not, why not? 3. What constructs does the study addres

Advantages and disadvantages with quasi-experiments

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of quasi-experiments? What is the fundamental weakness of a quasi-experimental design? Why is it a weakness? Does its weakness always matter?

Peer-reviewed article of an empirical research study using a quasi-experimental design.

Find a recent (i.e., no more than 5 years old) article in a peer-reviewed journal that reports an empirical research study using a quasi-experimental design. Describe the study -- the research question, the treatment, what was measured, and how the treatment and control groups were formed. What made this a quasi-experiment ins

Quasi Experiment Design: Non Equivalent Groups

Assume that I wanted to test some treatment on A university Program Evaluation students in the School of Public Policy and Management. I decided to give this treatment to groups 1 and 2, and use groups 3 and 4 as a control/comparison group. Remember that you were divided into groups on the basis of your last name: alphabetic

Research

MULTIPLE CHOICE: 1. In experimental and quasi-experimental research, another name for the "treatment" is: 1.Control 2.Randomization 3.Manipulation 4.None of the above Sampling may be defined as: 1.Measuring study variables 2.Selecting people for a study 3.Identifying criteria for subjects 4.Selecting a stud

Effects of self esteem on helping behavior

What type of research design is used? a) True lab experiment b) Quasi-experiment c) Field experiment d) Correlation A social psychologist is interested in the effects of self esteem on helping behavior. She manipulates self-esteem by telling participants they have done poorly (low self esteem) or very well (high self est

Startle Response - Dr. Wood examines sex difference

Record the type of research used: True lab experiment quasi-experiment field-experiment correlation design Dr. Wood wanted to examine sex differences in startle response. She exposed men and women to different types of startle stimuli (e.g. loud noise, bright flast of light)and measure heart rate and galvanic skin resp

Height infulences persuasiveness. Record type of research used.

Height infulences persuasiveness Record type of research used. True lab experiment quasi-experimentfield-experiment correlation

Explore BrainMass