One researcher is comparing two brands of fertilizer to determine ...

[RRMR]

One researcher is comparing two brands of fertilizer to determine whether one produces larger pumpkins than the other. A second researcher is comparing two different elementary school physical education programs to determine whether one program produces higher self-esteem than the other. Explain why the first researcher is probably not concerned about reliability and validity of measurement, whereas the second researcher is likely concerned with these measurements.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Dave's team has developed an intervention for use with high school students who are facing the unexpected death of a fellow student. This approach has been tested in a typical university community in the southern United States. Dave is now testing the intervention in urban areas and also has plans to test it in a number of other areas. Dave is conducting ____.
 
  a. applied research
 b. implementation research
  c. basic research
 d. policy research

[Christopher]

Answer to Question 1

The first researcher could measure the size of the pumpkins by placing them on a scale. Because weight is concrete, as opposed to hypothetical, there is no doubt that the researcher really is measuring size. Also, the scale can be checked for accuracy and reliability. As a result, the first researcher has no concerns about reliability or validity. The second researcher, however, is measuring self-esteem which cannot be measured directly. Therefore, the second researcher will need to develop an operational definition and will need to demonstrate that the operational definition really is measuring self-esteem and is measuring reliably.

Answer to Question 2

b

[RRMR]

Thank you

[Christopher]

No problem