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168 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS

The next chapter discusses how the variables—whether in a field survey or in an exper-
imental design—can be measured.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND POINTS TO PONDER

1. What are the differences between causal and correlational studies?
2. In what ways do lab experiments differ from field experiments?
3. Define the terms control and manipulation. Describe a possible lab experiment
where you would need to control a variable. Include also a possible variable over
which you would have no control but which could affect your experiment.
4. Explain the possible ways in which you can control “nuisance” variables.
5. What is internal validity and what are the threats it stands exposed to?
6. Explain the concept of “trade-off between internal validity and external validity.”
7. Explain fully how you would demonstrate to machine operators and convince them
through research that thorough knowledge of the operating policies and procedures
(by reading the manual) would eliminate almost all “on-the-job” accidents.
8. “If a control group is a part of an experimental design, one need not worry about
controlling other exogenous variables.” Discuss this statement.
9. A researcher wants to set up a lab experiment to test the effects of different kinds of
leadership styles on followers’ attitudes. The three particular kinds of leadership styles
she is interested in are autocratic, democratic, and participative. You are asked to
enlist some students to play the part of followers. What cover story would you give
the participants?
10. Comment on the following statement: “Because the external validity of lab experi-
ments is not usually high, they are useless for investigating cause and effect relation-
ships in organizations.”
11. “Covariance—that is, two variables varying together either positively or negatively—
and control are integral aspects of experimental designs.” Discuss.
12. “The Solomon four-group design is the answer to all our research questions pertain-
ing to cause-and-effect relations because it guards against all the threats to internal
validity.” Comment.
13. Below is an adapted note from Business Week published some time ago. After read-
ing it, apply what you have learned in this chapter, and design a study after sketch-
ing the theoretical framework.

The Vital Role of Self-Esteem
Why do some people earn more than others? Economists focused on the impor-
tance of education, basic skills, and work experience—what they called human
capital—on increased productivity, and said these were reflected in greater earning
power. Researchers also found that self-esteem was instrumental in acquiring
human capital.