Question 1

Tommy implemented a change in the method of reading instruction in his third grade classroom in order to improve students' performance on state assessment tests.The change in method of reading instruction is a(n)

Accepted Answer

The change in method of reading instruction is a social intervention, as it involves altering the way in which the teacher interacts with and teaches the students in the classroom. The other options, such as computer simulation or outcome measure, do not accurately describe the change in instruction. Response variable and dependent variable are not applicable in this situation as there is no specific variable being measured or manipulated.

Question 2

What differentiates quasi-experimental designs from true experimental designs?

Accepted Answer

The lack of random assignment of subjects to an experimental and a control group is the main difference between quasi-experimental designs and true experimental designs. Quasi-experimental designs often use pre-existing groups or assign participants based on other factors rather than randomly. Other factors such as smaller samples, shorter time periods, or more rigorous definitions of the intervention can also be present in both types of designs. However, having a control group is a common feature of both true and quasi-experimental designs.

Question 3

The goal in evaluation research is to evaluate the impact of social interventions.The major problem in this venture is

Accepted Answer

Developing adequate measures is the major problem in evaluation research as it is crucial for measuring the impact of social interventions accurately. Without appropriate measures, the evaluation results may be unreliable, leading to inaccurate conclusions and ineffective program adjustments. Other factors such as developing an appropriate sample, theory, avoiding ethical dilemmas, and administrative control are also important but not the major problem in evaluation research.

Question 4

Hortense was asked by the local recreation board to conduct a study to determine how interested the public would be in having more recreational facilities.Specifically,he was asked to determine the balance of the expenses of the additional facilities to the specific level of increased usage of the facilities.Hortense was engaged in

Accepted Answer

Hortense is conducting a cost-benefit analysis, as they are examining the costs and benefits of adding more recreational facilities.

Question 5

In an evaluation study of the treatment of transgender persons who work as state employees,Elisabeth was interviewing both employees and supervisors.Midway through the study,administration modified schedules to ensure she was no longer able to meet with the supervisors and complete her project.Which of the following did she experience?

Accepted Answer

Elisabeth experienced administrative control, as the administration's modification of schedules directly impacted her ability to meet with supervisors and complete her project.

Question 6

Sergio set up an evaluation study at a private high school to examine the impact of wearing uniforms on delinquent behavior.Midway through the study,various administrators interfered with the assignment of students to the group that wore uniforms as well as with the data gathering for the measurement of delinquent behavior.Which of the following did he experience?

Accepted Answer

The interference by administrators in the assignment of students and data gathering indicates administrative control, as they influenced the study's procedures and outcomes.

Question 7

Theresa studied the impact of a publicity campaign on the number of women who visited a women's shelter.The goal of the publicity campaign was to increase usage of the center.For comparison purposes,Theresa measured the change in usage over the same time period at a women's shelter in a town of a similar size some distance away,where a publicity campaign was not used.What design did she use?

Accepted Answer

Theresa used a nonequivalent control group design, which involves comparing the outcomes of a treatment group (the women's shelter with the publicity campaign) and a control group (the women's shelter without the publicity campaign). The comparison helps to assess the impact of the campaign on the usage of the shelter. The study design does not meet the criteria of an experimental design because the researcher cannot control the assignment of the subjects to the treatment and control groups. Moreover, the Solomon 4-group design involves using four groups to collect data at different times, and it is not applicable to Theresa's research question. Finally, a time series design involves collecting data over a long period to investigate trends, and multiple-time series design involves comparing multiple groups over time. These designs are not equivalent to Theresa's research objectives.

Question 8

Nimby did an evaluation research study of the impact of after-school programs within schools on the delinquency rates of pre-teens.As part of his study,he examined the changes in availability of after-school programs outside of schools as well as changes in enforcement of delinquency laws.This analysis of factors outside his specific evaluation research design is known as

Accepted Answer

The answer of Nimby did an evaluation research study of...

Question 9

Evaluation research is also called

Accepted Answer

Evaluation research and program evaluation are often used interchangeably to refer to research that focuses on assessing the effectiveness and/or outcomes of programs or interventions. This type of research is typically conducted in applied settings and can involve a range of methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and statistical analysis. Clinical sociological research is a specific type of research that focuses on understanding how social factors impact individual health and well-being. Cost-benefit analysis is a method of evaluating the financial costs and benefits of a particular program, policy, or intervention. Historical analysis involves studying past events and their causes and consequences. While some evaluation research might draw on historical data, it is not exclusively focused on historical analysis.

Question 10

Rudyard examined the impact of a special orientation session for first-year students on students' retention in college.He experienced many problems with getting students to arrive on campus before the term began,with getting students into appropriate groups,and with getting the research instruments distributed and returned.Which of the following did he experience?

Accepted Answer

The problems described in the scenario, such as difficulty getting students to arrive on campus and distributing research instruments, are logistical in nature, indicating that Rudyard experienced logistical problems.

Question 11

Taos developed a series of mathematical equations describing the relationships that link social variables to one another and used his computer to examine what happened when he changed the values on one of the variables at a time.He was using

Accepted Answer

Taos was using computer simulation to examine the relationships between social variables by changing the values on one variable at a time.

Question 12

Jacinda studied the impact of selling Girl Scouts cookies on the troops' morale.She randomly assigned six troops to sell the cookies and six troops to not sell the cookies.She measured troop morale before it was time to sell cookies as well as a month after.Which design did she use?

Accepted Answer

Jacinda randomly assigned troops to sell or not sell cookies, which is a characteristic of a classical experimental design.

Question 13

Melissa wanted to compare the states on various aggregated statistics that reflect the social conditions in those states so that she could make regional comparisons.She should use

Accepted Answer

Social indicators research is the best choice for comparing the states on various aggregated statistics that reflect the social conditions in those states. Social indicators research involves the use of quantitative data to measure social phenomena, including economic well-being, health, education, and crime rates. This approach would allow Melissa to compare the states on a standardized set of social indicators and make informed regional comparisons. A true experimental design, survey design, multiple time-series design, and content analysis may not provide the comprehensive data needed to make such comparisons.

Question 14

The goal of applied research is to

Accepted Answer

The goal of applied research is to have some real-world effect, such as improving a specific practice, solving a practical problem, or developing a new product or technology. It focuses on the application of scientific knowledge to practical problems, and its results are expected to have practical implications and benefits.

Question 15

Which one of the following is NOT one of the reasons why people avoid implementing evaluation research results?

Accepted Answer

This is not one of the typical reasons why people avoid implementing evaluation research results. The other choices such as difficulty in understanding implications, contradicting beliefs, vested interests, and expense of changes are commonly cited reasons.

Question 16

For a study to determine if individuals placed on the sex offender registry are less likely to recidivate compared to those who are not registered,the response variable would be:

Accepted Answer

The study aims to determine the likelihood of recidivism for individuals on the sex offender registry compared to those who are not registered. Therefore, the response variable is recidivism, or the occurrence of a subsequent offense after the initial one.

Question 17

Tommy implemented a change in the method of reading instruction in his third grade classroom in order to improve students' performance on state assessment tests.The change in students' performance on state assessment tests is a(n)

Accepted Answer

The change in students' performance on state assessment tests is the response variable, as it changes in response to the change in reading instruction method implemented by Tommy. The other options do not accurately describe the change or its effects.

Question 18

The growth of evaluation research is largely due to

Accepted Answer

The growth of evaluation research is largely due to social researchers' desire to make a difference and federal requirements and support. This is because social researchers want to understand what interventions work and how to improve them, and federal requirements and support provide funding and incentives for conducting evaluations. While demand by clients and ethical considerations may also play a role, they are not the primary drivers of growth in evaluation research.

Question 19

Roberto wanted to examine the impact of newly enacted seat belt laws.He did so by comparing deaths due to car crashes before and after implementation of the laws.He did this in multiple states and compared the changes in deaths with states that did not implement seat belt laws in order to more clearly understand the impact of the new laws.Which design did he use?

Accepted Answer

Roberto used a multiple time-series design, also known as a pre-post design with a control group (the states that did not implement seat belt laws), to compare the differences in deaths before and after the implementation of seat belt laws. This design is commonly used in program evaluation to assess the impact of interventions. The other options (true experimental design, survey design, cost-benefit analysis, and longitudinal design) do not accurately describe the design used by Roberto.

Question 20

Nimby did an evaluation research study of the impact of after-school programs within schools on the delinquency rates of pre-teens.He was careful to identify what he meant by after-school programs.As part of his study,he examined the changes in availability of after-school programs outside of schools as well as changes in enforcement of delinquency laws.His careful attention to identifying what he meant by after-school programs reflects

Accepted Answer

Nimby's careful attention to identifying what he meant by after-school programs reflects specifying the intervention. He identifies the program that he is evaluating in order to accurately assess its impact on delinquency rates.

Quiz 12: Evaluation Research