Question

Dr. Paulson conducts an evaluation of an anti-poverty program among single mothers in Chicago. She finds that providing two six-hour sessions per week of free group child care reduces the likelihood that single mothers apply for federal benefits. When the program expands to Baltimore and San Antonio, Dr. Paulson does not find the same results. Which of the following factors might explain the low external validity in the first study?

a. The questions about federal benefits varied between the first study and the second study.
b. The researchers did not find enough single mothers in Baltimore and San Antonio.
c. Single mothers in Baltimore and San Antonio may have stronger networks of friends and family who can watch their children and thus the program benefit is minimal to them.
d. Single mothers in Baltimore and San Antonio were embarrassed to admit that they were receiving federal benefits.

Answer 1

The low external validity in the first study evaluating the anti-poverty program among single mothers in Chicago may be explained by the fact that single mothers in Baltimore and San Antonio may have stronger support networks of friends and family to watch their children, minimizing the benefit of the program for them.

Step-by-step explanation:

The low external validity in the first study evaluating an anti-poverty program among single mothers in Chicago may be explained by option c: Single mothers in Baltimore and San Antonio may have stronger networks of friends and family who can watch their children and thus the program benefit is minimal to them. This means that the availability of alternative childcare options in Baltimore and San Antonio could have influenced the results of the study. It is important to consider the different social and demographic factors that may affect the effectiveness of anti-poverty programs in different locations.

Answer 2

c. Single mothers in Baltimore and San Antonio may have stronger networks of friends and family who can watch their children and thus the program benefit is minimal to them.

Step-by-step explanation:

This is because, in a situation whereby a single mother has 2 children but those children where being taken care of by their grandparents. This would affect the likelihood of the single mother applying for federal benefits.

This will on the long run affected the results Dr. Paulson would get when he conducts his anti-poverty program.