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Based on the vulnerabilities of the chosen baseline group, explain why the researchers cannot confidently conclude that the brain-training program's specific features caused the memory improvement.
Case context: A research team wants to test whether a new computerized brain-training program improves working memory. They recruit 100 students and assign 50 to use the brain-training program for 30 minutes a day. The other 50 students are placed in a no-treatment control condition and receive no intervention. At the end of the study, the group that used the program scored significantly higher on the memory test than the no-treatment group.
Question: Based on the vulnerabilities of the chosen baseline group, explain why the researchers cannot confidently conclude that the brain-training program's specific features caused the memory improvement.
Sample answer: The researchers cannot confidently conclude the program caused the improvement because the study uses a no-treatment control condition, making it vulnerable to placebo effects. The intervention group might have improved simply because they expected the training to help their memory, an expectation not experienced by the group receiving absolutely no intervention.
Key points:
- Recognizes the vulnerability to placebo effects
- Explains that the intervention group expects to improve
- Notes that the no-treatment control condition does not account for these expectation benefits
Rubric: Full credit is given for recognizing that the difference in scores could be due to placebo effects, as the no-treatment group lacks the expectation of improvement that the intervention group experiences.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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