Course Work on Quasi-experimental Research

Determine whether the study is experimental or quasi-experimental; describe how you know.

This study is a quasi-experimental and not experimental. As noticed, the main ingredients are that the study has been performed retrospectively and the researcher can adjust the data to mimic a randomized trial using the observational data only. The random assignments of subjects often help control for participants differences. In the study, the sample included 208 self-identified African American women. The study comprised of the study 1 and study 2, where the participants from the subject pool and Mturk participants both entered into the survey. As observed, the most popular technique is matching where the control group is found among the non-treated population who possess the same observed baseline characteristics as treated group. In this sense, the groups are comparable, and therefore the outcome may be assumed to be unbiased because the unmeasured variables cannot be controlled.

Describe the variables, both independent and dependent, used in the research

Both the independent and dependent variables have been used in this research. The dependent variable in the study is the Emotional Benefits and Barriers of Psychological Services Scale (EBBPS) which integrated the Life Enhancement and Concerns about Distress. Life Enhancement was also associated with increased intentions to seek to counsel whereas Concerns about Distress was related to decreased intentions to seek to advise. The independent variables in the study include the demographic variables that include age, the number of children, education, annual income and the religiosity.

Describe the treatment conditions of the experimental group. If quasi-experimental, represent the different groups or conditions that were compared

This study uses the quasi-experimental design. The study comprised of the study 1 and study 2, where the participants from the subject pool and Mturk participants both entered into the survey. As observed, the most popular technique is matching where the control group is found among the non-treated population who possess the same observed baseline characteristics as treated group. The groups of women were obtained from selected universities and recruited from several methods that include internet sites, personal networks, and the community events and then completed the survey through the Qualtrics. Those from the psychology pool received course credit, while those from the non-psychology subject pool have been submitted to the lottery to win $50. Because of the inclusion of the additional measure could alter the responses from the participants on the new scales, they were only required to fill the questionnaires and the EBBPS scale.

Describe the particular type of research design that was used and discuss why it is considered experimental or quasi-experimental.

The research design used in this study was quasi-experimental because subjects were randomly not assigned to treatment. In other words, the researcher did not put the participants into randomization as observed in the study.

Evaluate the scientific merit of the selected design. How might you have designed this study differently? Evaluate how well the experimental approach and design helped the researcher answer the research questions.

The scientific merit of Quasi-experimental research is based on its feasibility as its lacks time and logistical constraints as observed in much actual experimental design. Conceivably, the Quasi-experimental increases the external validity as compared to the experimental design. In this sense, the quasi-experimental design is practical and possible because the research can be carried out in any settings, including the natural setting. Finally, the results generated through this design can be utilized to support the outcomes of case studies by carrying out research that may contribute to the statistical analysis.

References

Watson-Singleton, N. N., Okunoren, O., LoParo, D., & Hunter, C. D. (2017, July 6). Emotional Benefits and Barriers of Psychological Services Scale: Initial Construction and Validation Among African American Women. Journal of Counseling Psychology: Advance online publication. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cou0000240