What is the advantage of the pretest in the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design?
A)The pretest accustoms the participants to the procedures of the study.
B)Participants who experience a pretest generally score higher on a posttest.
C)When groups are not equivalent, researchers can look at changes from pretest to posttest scores.
D)If the pretest scores are different, the study can be discontinued immediately.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pretest in the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design allows researchers to examine changes from pretest to posttest scores within each group, which can help control for individual differences in the groups. This advantage is particularly important when groups are not equivalent at the start of the study. Option A is incorrect because while the pretest may accustom participants to the procedures, this is not necessarily an advantage of the design. Option B is incorrect because if participants score higher on a posttest after experiencing a pretest, this could be due to practice effects rather than the treatment itself. Option D is incorrect because the study should not be discontinued immediately based solely on pretest scores.

What Is the Advantage of the Pretest in the Nonequivalent