Give one reason why this experiment is unlikely to have high validity.
How to approach this question
Validity refers to how well an experiment measures what it is supposed to measure (in this case, how "well trained" a dog is). Think about factors other than training that could influence how long a dog sits. Are these factors being controlled in the experiment described? List one such factor.
Full Answer
The experiment's validity is questionable because it fails to control for several extraneous variables that could influence the results. A valid reason could be:
- **Lack of controlled environment:** The experiment could have been conducted in different locations or at different times, with varying levels of distractions (e.g., other dogs, people, noises) that could affect a dog's concentration.
- **Owner variability:** The owners might have used different tones of voice, gestures, or given treats, which could influence the dog's performance. The description "asks their dog to sit and then walks away" is not specific enough.
- **Dog's state:** The dog's mood, energy level, or whether it was hungry or tired could change between experiments and affect the time it was willing to sit.
- **Small sample size:** Only 5 repetitions were done for each dog. This is a very small sample and may not be representative of the dog's true ability.
Common mistakes
✗ Giving a reason that is too vague, like "it's not fair".\n✗ Criticising the data (e.g., "there are outliers") rather than the experimental design.
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