Question

A researcher pretest a group of participants to determine their attitudes toward the use of alternative energy sources to replace crude oil. The researcher then initiates a program to convince them that they should invest in such alternatives. During this time, the price of gasoline rises $.50 per gallon. At the end of the program, The researcher retestes and finds that the participants are much more positive in their attitudes. What threat to internal validity most likely accounts for this change?

A. History
B. Maturation
C. Testing
D. Regression toward the mean

Answer 1

Answer: A) History

To understad the threats to internal validity during this research, the element that has to be considerate this case is history. The event in time that occure during the experiment, was the rising of the price of gasoline per gallon. Since the research had to do with determining attitudes toward the use of alternative energy, this event of the rising of the gasoline price, is a factor that may affect the validity of the investigation. Since this can defenetly modify the real position or previews position of the subjects towards the use of alternative energy. This specific aspect definetly changes the pretests done by the researcher.