ERIC Number: ED530015
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Feb-18
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Using Propensity Scores in Quasi-Experimental Designs to Equate Groups
Lane, Forrest C.; Henson, Robin K.
Online Submission, Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southwest Educational Research Association (33rd, New Orleans, LA, Feb 17-20, 2010)
Education research rarely lends itself to large scale experimental research and true randomization, leaving the researcher to quasi-experimental designs. The problem with quasi-experimental research is that underlying factors may impact group selection and lead to potentially biased results. One way to minimize the impact of non-randomization is through the use of propensity scores. First developed by Rosenbaum & Rubin (1983b), these scores allow researchers to balance non-equivalent groups though matching on a singular scalar variable. The present paper will present the theoretical framework behind propensity scores along with a heuristic data set to demonstrate propensity score calculation and evaluation. Appended is: "PASW (v17.0) Syntax for Propensity Score Matching using Matching within Calipers." (Contains 4 tables.)
Descriptors: Quasiexperimental Design, Research Methodology, Educational Research, Scores, Matched Groups, Predictor Variables, Experimental Groups, Control Groups, Computer Software, Programming, Statistical Bias, Research Problems, Models, Living Learning Centers, College Students, Heuristics, Statistical Analysis, Vignettes
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A