Analyzing Data from Nonrandomized Group Studies

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Jeremy W. Bray, Professor and Department Head (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Researchers evaluating prevention and early intervention programs must often rely on diverse study designs that assign groups to various study conditions (e.g., intervention versus control). Although the strongest designs randomly assign these groups to conditions, researchers frequently must use nonrandomized research designs in which assignments are made based on the characteristics of the groups. With nonrandomized group designs, little guidance is available on how best to analyze the data. We provide guidance on which techniques work best under different data conditions and make recommendations to researchers about how to choose among the various techniques when analyzing data from a pre-test/post-test nonrandomized study. We use data from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention’s Workplace Managed Care initiative to compare the performance of the various methods commonly applied in quasi-experimental and group assignment designs.

Additional Information

Publication
RTI Press publication No. MR-0008-0811
Language: English
Date: 2008
Keywords
study designs, research designs, data, group designs

Email this document to