Question

Question 1 FLAG QUESTION In a study to investigate whether pet therapy improves exam scores, students who interacted with a therapy pet scored higher than students who did not. Which of the following is closest to describing what 'internal validity' refers to for this study? Answers A-D A the confidence that improved exam scores were attributed to the pet therapy, B the confidence that results of the study can be generalized to other students taking an exam. C experts having constructed the exam to ensure that questions are appropriate. D the degree to which researchers are accurately measuring exam scores

Answer 1

Question:1

Answer - A

Explanation -

1. Internal validity is the ability of the study to demonstrate the relationship between cause and effect.
2. If a study claims that an intervention ( exposure to pets) can cause an effect ( improved student scores), then it should be conducted in such a way that no other cause can be attributed to the effects.
3. In other words, the removal of confounding factors helps improve the trust in the claims of the study.

Option - B - Incorrect

1. The generalization of the effect on other students doesn't form a part of internal validity. This is called external validity.AcOption - C - Incorrect

1. The question here is whether exposure to pets improves student's test scores.
2. The same set of questions ( or difficulty level) should be asked to all students.
3. This help reduces confounding factors.

Option - D - Incorrect

1. Accurately measuring the exam score is important.
2. Same mathematical error should be avoided
3. But, that has nothing to do with internal validity.

Question:2

Answer: A, D

1. Both these studies have an intervention
2. In both these studies, there are two groups: one which receives the intervention and others that don't.
3. The exposure is well defined
4. The outcome is later studied

Incorrect B

1. An online survey is a type of descriptive study
2. It just decides the study subjects and its attributes

Incorrect C

1. Though in this study there is an intervention, this not a proper experimental study.
2. Consecutive use of two types of interventions in the same patient makes the study week.
3. Repeated exposure to alternative types of lights can have some effect on the baby's sleep pattern.
4. This is called cofounding factor.

Question: 3

Correct Answer - B, C

1. Consistency of condition ( ensuring that all patients of the study population are in the same stage of cancer) helps reduce confounding factors.
2. This, in turn, helps the investigator to be sure of the effect of the intervention.
3. In the presence of confounding factors, claims that interventions can cause the effect cannot be made.
4. Randomization also helps to increase the internal validity of the study

Incorrect A

This will introduce confounding factors into the study and reduce the internal validity of the study.

Incorrect D

1. Experimental manipulation helps to increase the internal validity of the study.