Group research designs are often used when examining outcomes. Group research designs allow you to determine whether a program is making a difference in a client’s behavior or if an outside factor is the cause. Group research designs are better at determining causality—the reason for an observed change in a client.
Common group research designs include experimental and quasi-experimental. To construct either design, the researcher establishes two groups: one receives the intervention or service and another that does not. The second group is known as the control or comparison group. The researcher examines the groups for changes that can be attributed to the influence of the service or intervention.
For this Assignment, you apply group research design methods to evaluate your Clarksville program. As you receive feedback for this Assignment, consider what revisions you want to make for your final project and apply your new knowledge to your final project program or population.
The Assignment:
Submit a 2–3 page group research design method for your Clarksville program in which you:
Describe a group research design method applicable to planning your outcome evaluation.
Describe your approach (using the appropriate research terminology), your plans for randomization (if appropriate), and your groups.
Describe possible threats to the validity of your study.
Keep in mind, this is a group research design and your descriptions should focus on a group or program.
