Quasi-Experimental Research Question 1

Quasi-Experimental Question #1

The use of a time-series design makes good sense for the type of situation found in this example, but it is unlikely that the timing of the closing of the plant in the town is random. It is likely to be the result of economic factors that are probably affecting many things other than just the viability of the plant operation.

If you use just a time-series analysis, you are likely to confound some of these other factors with the impact of the plant closing. You could strengthen this design by finding a similar town with a similar industrial base that is not going through a plant closing and use it as a comparison for evaluating your data.