ACADEMIC CENTERS

Type O: The Simple Observation
P >

U

>

O

P = The general population
U = An unrandomized group
O = The post-intervention observation

Type:

Non Research Design

What it is:

The simple observation really is not a research design. In this design, an unrandomized group is arbitrarily selected from the general population and observed and recorded.

Method:

Step One
Choose an arbitrary group from the general population "P" and designate this group as the experimental group "U".
Step Two
Observe the experimental group "U" and record the observations "O"
Step Three
Summarize, analyze, and report the results.

Threats to Validity

History
Lack of control introduces potential history risk.
Maturation
Lack of control introduces potential maturation risk.
Testing Effects
Not a factor in single test designs.
Instrumentation
Probably insignificant. Depends on the method chosen.
Statistical Regression
Not a factor in a single test design.
Selection
Results obtained are largely a function of the group selected.
Attrition
Lack of control introduces potential attrition risk.
Interaction
Must always be considered.

Remarks:

The critical flaw is that the results obtained depend mostly on the specific group selected for observation.

 

By Douglas E. Greathouse, MA.(2007)



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