Whether changes,such as improved reading scores
Or lower incidences of a disease have occurred in the
Two groups,If the performanceof the experimental
Group is significantly better than that of the contron
Group,the program is held tobe effective. A high level
Of validity and generalizability is accorded the results
Of experimcnts. An example is in order.
Several ycars ago. The delaware Department of
Labor conducted a field experiment 13 to assess the
Effectiveness of various activities in helping “dislocated
Workers”—“persons who have lost long-term, stable
Jops due to an increased international competition and/or
Changing technology 14 thegoals of the program for dislocated
Workers, which was funded through the job partnership training act,
Were to help increase workers” earnings and reduce their need for
Unemployment compensation benefits. A coterie of 175 workers
With comparable characteristics was identified; 65 were randomly
Assigned to the treatment group. With the order 110 becoming
The control group. Menbers of the treatment group were provided counseling
On job-search activities.assistance in locating openings. Retraining.and other
Services. Both groups were monitored for a year. Comparison of their performance
Revealed that the control group did better than the treatment group in meeting
The program’s goals. It was concluded that “the program did not appear to improve
Participants”jop prospects.”15
Use of the experimental design maynot be possible because of costs. Time,
And ethical or other considerations. The quasi-experiment then. May be a useful alternative.
The process of random selection is not used. Rather the treatment group is compared with another group (a”comparison group”)that