In studies involving human subjects, there could be short or long term changes…
2023
In studies involving human subjects, there could be short or long term changes in participants because of psychological changes like boredom and fatigue. This would constitute which of the following threats to internal validity?
Answer: A. Maturation threat — ConceptInternal validity asks whether the observed outcome can be attributed to the treatment rather than to another process. A maturation threat is change…
- A.
Maturation threat
- B.
History threat
- C.
Selection threat
- D.
Instrumentation threat
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
Internal validity asks whether the observed outcome can be attributed to the treatment rather than to another process. A maturation threat is change that arises within participants as time passes, independently of the intervention.
Application
The stem describes short- or long-term psychological changes occurring within the participants, such as boredom and fatigue. Those are time-related participant changes, so the relevant threat is maturation threat.
Contrast
History threat concerns an external event occurring during the study.
Selection threat concerns pre-existing differences between the groups.
Instrumentation threat concerns a change in the measuring instrument, observer, or scoring procedure.
Cross-check
The stated cause is inside the participants, not an external event, group composition, or measurement procedure. Therefore, maturation threat is the consistent classification.