Analyze Quasi-Experimental (Non-Randomized) Designs

Order Description

Quasi-experimental designs are one of the more commonly used quantitative designs, particularly within educational research, as true randomization is unavailable in schools. Students are enrolled and staff are chosen to be employed in schools, thus eliminating the researcher’s ability to truly randomly choose participants. Well-designed quasi-experimental designs can often demonstrate clear causal relationships between variables with the limited possibility of error, but lack the randomization required of a true experimental design eliciting even less potential for error.
Review the resources listed in the Books and Resources area below to prepare for this week’s assignment(s).
All resources for this week:
Book(s)
Mertens, D. 2014 Research and evaluation in education and psychology. Integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods.
Read Chapter 4
Article/Journal
Fitzpatrick, M. J., & Meulemans, Y. N. (2011). Assessing an information literacy assignment and workshop using a quasi-experimental design.
Read Article
Website Link(s)
Trochim, W. M. K. (2012). Design. The Research Knowledge Base. https://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/design.php
Read Subsections: Quasi-experimental Design, Advances in Quasi-experimentation
Assignment Title
Analyze Quasi-Experimental (Non-Randomized) Designs
Assignment Points
10
Assignment Instructions
Using the article by Fitzpatrick and Meulemans (2011), prepare a written analysis that addresses the following:
• Determine the general strengths and weaknesses of quasi-experimental designs. Based on your findings, identify the strengths and weaknesses of this particular study.
• Explain when a quasi-experimental design is most useful within an educational setting, and then summarize whether this is an appropriate use of a quasi-experimental design in this study. Explain why, and if it is not, recommend a more accurate research design.
• Identify and explain the types of problems quasi-experimental designs could best address. Discuss if this study’s problem is best addressed by a quasi-experimental design.
• Review the research question being asked in this study, and then provide a sample research question corresponding to a different hypothetical quasi-experimental design.
Support your assignment with at least this scholarly resource. In addition to these specified resources, other appropriate scholarly resources, including older articles, may be included.
Length: 5-7 pages, not including title and reference pages
Your assignment should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course by providing new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards. Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University’s Academic Integrity Policy.
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Course Learning Outcomes associated with this assignment:
1.0. Evaluate quantitative research designs with attention to quantitative instrumentation, data assumptions, validity, and reliability.
2.0. Analyze the rationale and methodological conventions of quantitative data collection techniques used in educational research.
3.0. Analyze the rationale and methodological conventions of quantitative data analysis techniques used in educational research.