Quasi experimental design features – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, C and E accurately depict quasi-experimental designs. They frequently use intact groups without random assignment, are practical where full control is not feasible, and accept that such designs typically face greater threats to internal validity than true experiments. Statement D is false because many quasi-experiments in fact employ pre-tests and comparison groups to strengthen inferences. Therefore, the combination that includes A, B, C and E and excludes D is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it does not include E, thereby omitting the important point that quasi-experiments may suffer more from internal validity threats. Without E, the description lacks a key limitation of this design type.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it includes D, which wrongly claims that quasi-experiments never use pre-tests or comparison groups. Including D contradicts common quasi-experimental formats like non-equivalent control group designs.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it recognises the typical lack of random assignment, the use of intact groups, the practical and ethical motivations for quasi-experiments and their higher vulnerability to validity threats. It also properly rejects D as inaccurate.

Option D:
Option D is wrong since it accepts D and omits A. By ignoring the central feature that quasi-experiments lack random assignment and by endorsing the incorrect statement that they never use pre-tests or comparison groups, this option misrepresents the design.