This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: Why has the choice of measurements of the effectiveness of the Head Start program been critical in ... (Read 55 times)

BrownTown3

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 564
Why has the choice of measurements of the effectiveness of the Head Start program been critical in assessing the program?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What problems regarding culture and diversity beset research in the social and behavioral sciences? Why do these problems occur? Why are the problems less troublesome in the physical and natural sciences?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

bookworm410

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 341
Answer to Question 1

Some of obvious, easy to collect measurements like performance in school or IQ test scores do not show consistent or permanent changes among the participants in Head Start programs. These variables lead to a conclusion that the program does not meet its intended goals. On the other hand, longer-term measurements like high school graduation rates, dependence on public assistance, and participation in criminal activity reveal that Head Start participants fare better than those who did not participate. Depending on your choice of your variables, you could wind up with conclusions that are contradictory. The variables of interest need to be chosen carefully so they help you answer your research question.

Answer to Question 2

a. Because much social and behavioral research involves student populations and because students as a whole constitute a relatively homogeneous population, the diversity among research participants is typically very limited.
b. It takes extra time, effort, money, etc. to recruit participants who are not students or who form a diverse group; researchers often do not have the resources for studying participants who are not readily available.
c. Some researchers believe that we need to study at least three different cultures in order to be able to find out what behaviors reliably emerge and in what circumstances. With every additional component of research, it becomes more difficult to conduct.
d. Researchers may not be adequately trained to study behaviors in cultures other than their own, so their interpretations of data and of the behaviors themselves may be biased toward their own cultural perspective.
e. Because social scientists study behaviors, which are affected by culture and society, we have to account for differences across those we study. Scientists in the physical sciences do not have such problems, so they can use the same methodologies without any problems. Researchers in the natural sciences sometimes need to consider diversity if they study behaviors or characteristics across species of plants or animals.





 

Did you know?

There are immediate benefits of chiropractic adjustments that are visible via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It shows that spinal manipulation therapy is effective in decreasing pain and increasing the gaps between the vertebrae, reducing pressure that leads to pain.

Did you know?

Of the estimated 2 million heroin users in the United States, 600,000–800,000 are considered hardcore addicts. Heroin addiction is considered to be one of the hardest addictions to recover from.

Did you know?

There are 60,000 miles of blood vessels in every adult human.

Did you know?

Your heart beats over 36 million times a year.

Did you know?

Serum cholesterol testing in adults is recommended every 1 to 5 years. People with diabetes and a family history of high cholesterol should be tested even more frequently.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library