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Chapter 10: Understanding Quantitative Research Design
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the best research approach for investigating the actual representation of Hispanic
managers within health care institutions, and the workplace beliefs and prejudices that
perpetuate their disproportionate representation?
a. Triangulated approach
b. Quantitative approach
c. Qualitative approach
d. Outcomes approach
ANS: A
Triangulation is the combined use of two or more theories, methods, data sources,
investigators, or analysis methods in the study of the same phenomenon. Five types of
triangulation are proposed: (1) data triangulation, (2) investigator triangulation, (3) theoretical
triangulation, (4) methodological triangulation, and (5) analysis triangulation. Multiple
triangulation is the combination of more than one of these types. In the example,
methodological triangulation should be used in the study of the research problem.
Triangulation is used to ensure that the most comprehensive approach is taken to solve a
research problem.
5. Thirty patients with psoriasis are treated with ultraviolet light B phototherapy, delivered by a
therapist. Their symptoms become worse at first, and then improve. During the summer their
symptoms become better without treatment. Then fall arrives, and symptoms worsen. Patients
go back to UVL B, and they improve. Why, according to Hume, can the relationship between
UVL B phototherapy and symptom severity not be considered a classically causal one?
a. Ultraviolet light B phototherapy wasn’t invented during Hume’s lifetime.
b. There must be a strong relationship between the proposed cause and the effect.
c. The cause (phototherapy) has to be present whenever the effect occurs.
d. The cause must precede the effect in time.
ANS: C
Some of the ideas related to causation emerged from the logical positivist philosophical
tradition. Hume, a positivist, proposed that the following three conditions must be met to
establish causality: (1) there must be a strong relationship between the proposed cause and the
effect, (2) the proposed cause must precede the effect in time, and (3) the cause has to be
present whenever the effect occurs. Cause, according to Hume, is not directly observable but
must be inferred.
6. John Stuart Mill’s insistence that in order for causation to be demonstrated, there must be no
alternative explanation for why a change in one variable leads to a change in the other
variable. This concept of alternative explanations is the idea that underlies which type of
validity?
a. Statistical conclusion validity
b. Internal validity
c. Construct validity
d. External validity
ANS: D
External validity is concerned with the extent to which study findings can be generalized
beyond the sample used in the study. Statistical conclusion validity is concerned with whether
the conclusions about relationships or differences drawn from statistical analysis are an
accurate reflection of the real world: did the researcher use the right statistical tests in the
proper way? Internal validity is the extent to which the effects detected in the study are a true
reflection of reality rather than the result of extraneous variables: did the change in one
variable really account for the change in the other variable? Construct validity examines the fit
between the conceptual definitions and operational definitions of variables: are the study ideas
measured in a way that makes sense?
7. John Stuart Mill and the essentialists insisted that a cause be necessary and sufficient for an
effect to occur. In a modern study alcohol dependency is found to lead eventually to
permanent liver damage, except when the alcoholic consumes a diet plentiful in the
B-vitamins. In addition, liver damage can emerge in the absence of alcohol dependency. What
would John Stuart Mill and essentialists say about the causative relationship between alcohol
dependency and liver damage?
a. The proposed cause is necessary, but not sufficient.
b. The proposed cause is neither necessary nor sufficient.
c. The proposed cause is sufficient, but not necessary.
d. The proposed cause is both necessary and sufficient.
ANS: B
A philosophical group known as essentialists proposed that two concepts must be considered
in determining causality: necessary and sufficient. The proposed cause must be necessary for
the effect to occur. (The effect cannot occur unless the cause first occurs.) The proposed cause
must also be sufficient (requiring no other factors) for the effect to occur. This leaves no room
for a variable that may sometimes, but not always, serves as the cause of an effect.
9. The researcher divides his lab rats into two groups and administers IV methamphetamine to
one of the groups, in order to determine its effect on the fear-flight response. This is an
example of which of the following?
a. Bias
b. Control
c. Correlation
d. Multicausality
ANS: B
Control means having the power to direct or manipulate factors to achieve a desired outcome.
The idea of control is very important to research, particularly to experimental and
quasi-experimental studies. The greater the amount of control the researcher has of the study
situation, the more credible the study findings. The purpose of the research design is to
maximize control factors in the study situation. The term bias means to slant away from the
true or expected. A biased opinion has failed to include both sides of the question.
Correlational research examines linear relationships between two or more variables and
determines the type (positive or negative) and degree (strength) of the relationship, not cause.
10. A researcher is comparing a new and less expensive treatment with an established treatment,
in hopes of showing that there is no difference in outcome. The researcher does not perform a
power analysis and, consequently, selects a sample size that is smaller than what would be
recommended for an analysis of variance. The results show that there is no significant
difference in outcome between the two treatments. Which type of validity is affected by this?
a. Statistical conclusion validity
b. Internal validity
c. Construct validity
d. External validity
ANS: A
Statistical conclusion validity is concerned with whether the conclusions about relationships
or differences drawn from statistical analysis are an accurate reflection of the real world: did
the researcher use the right statistical tests in the proper way? Internal validity is the extent to
which the effects detected in the study are a true reflection of reality rather than the result of
extraneous variables: did the change in one variable really account for the change in the other
variable? Construct validity examines the fit between the conceptual definitions and
operational definitions of variables: are the study ideas measured in a way that makes sense?
External validity is concerned with the extent to which study findings can be generalized
beyond the sample used in the study.
11. A researcher is comparing a new and less expensive treatment with an established treatment,
in hopes of showing that there is no difference in outcome. The researcher does not perform a
power analysis and, consequently, selects a sample size that is smaller than what would be
recommended for an analysis of variance. The results show that there is a significant
difference in outcome between the two treatments, and that the new treatment has poorer
outcomes. What is the negative result of the researcher’s decision to use a smaller sample?
a. The statistical conclusions reached are incorrect.
b. There is no negative result.
c. The study will have to be replicated, because its sample was small.
d. The researcher is guilty of misconduct.
ANS: B
Statistical conclusion validity is concerned with whether the conclusions about relationships
or differences drawn from statistical analysis are an accurate reflection of the real world: did
the researcher use the right statistical tests in the proper way? The test was used in the proper
way, and the results established a difference in outcomes between the established treatment
and the new one, meaning that the difference in outcomes must have been quite pronounced
for this to be evident with a small sample. The results dramatically underscore this.
12. A researcher tests a new intervention for nausea associated with chemotherapy, in hospitalized
patients. At the same time a new over-the-counter medication containing natural herbs is
marketed aggressively, and some of the hospital patients are given this herbal remedy by their
families. This is a threat to which type of validity?
a. Statistical conclusion validity
b. Internal validity
c. Construct validity
d. External validity
ANS: B
Construct validity examines the fit between the conceptual definitions and operational
definitions of variables: are the study ideas measured in a way that makes sense? Statistical
conclusion validity is concerned with whether the conclusions about relationships or
differences drawn from statistical analysis are an accurate reflection of the real world: did the
researcher use the right statistical tests in the proper way? Internal validity is the extent to
which the effects detected in the study are a true reflection of reality rather than the result of
extraneous variables: did the change in one variable really account for the change in the other
variable? External validity is concerned with the extent to which study findings can be
generalized beyond the sample used in the study.
13. A researcher tests a new intervention for nausea associated with chemotherapy, in hospitalized
patients. He does not want to suggest nausea to the patients, so as his dependent variable, he
uses the answer the patients give to the question, “How are you feeling this morning?” This is
a threat to which type of validity?
a. Statistical conclusion validity
b. Internal validity
c. Construct validity
d. External validity
ANS: C
Construct validity examines the fit between the conceptual definitions and operational
definitions of variables: are the study ideas measured in a way that makes sense? It makes
little sense to measure nausea by asking a social question. Statistical conclusion validity is
concerned with whether the conclusions about relationships or differences drawn from
statistical analysis are an accurate reflection of the real world: did the researcher use the right
statistical tests in the proper way? Internal validity is the extent to which the effects detected
in the study are a true reflection of reality rather than the result of extraneous variables: did
the change in one variable really account for the change in the other variable? External
validity is concerned with the extent to which study findings can be generalized beyond the
sample used in the study.
14. A researcher conducts research and uses a small sample that is not randomly selected. When
he replicates the study, twice, he again uses the same site and another small sample that is not
randomly selected. This is a threat to which type of validity?
a. Statistical conclusion validity
b. Internal validity
c. Construct validity
d. External validity
ANS: D
Construct validity examines the fit between the conceptual definitions and operational
definitions of variables: are the study ideas measured in a way that makes sense? Statistical
conclusion validity is concerned with whether the conclusions about relationships or
differences drawn from statistical analysis are an accurate reflection of the real world: did the
researcher use the right statistical tests in the proper way? Internal validity is the extent to
which the effects detected in the study are a true reflection of reality rather than the result of
extraneous variables: did the change in one variable really account for the change in the other
variable? External validity is concerned with the extent to which study findings can be
generalized beyond the sample used in the study.
15. If a researcher plans to study graduate-level achievement in all students who were educated
under the Vermont public school system, in a small town that used both state-mandated texts
and enrichment texts of the school board’s choosing, the researcher would be using a fairly
small sample, bound by geography and time. Which type of validity is decreased by a study
like this one?
a. Construct validity
b. Statistical conclusion validity
c. External validity
d. Internal validity
ANS: C
External validity is concerned with the extent to which study findings can be generalized
beyond the sample used in the study. If the sample IS the historical population, the findings
can be generalized only to predict accomplishment in subsequent cohorts. Statistical
conclusion validity is concerned with whether the conclusions about relationships or
differences drawn from statistical analysis are an accurate reflection of the real world: did the
researcher use the right statistical tests in the proper way? Internal validity is the extent to
which the effects detected in the study are a true reflection of reality rather than the result of
extraneous variables: did the change in one variable really account for the change in the other
variable? Construct validity examines the fit between the conceptual definitions and
operational definitions of variables: are the study ideas measured in a way that makes sense?
16. What is the essential difference between a control group and a comparison group?
a. A control group’s data is collected at the same time as the experimental group’s
data. A comparison group’s data is collected before that of the experimental group.
b. A control group is larger in size than a comparison group.
c. A control group exists only is a basic lab situation. All nursing studies use
comparison groups.
d. A control group is randomly assigned. A comparison group is not.
ANS: D
If the study involves an experimental treatment, the design usually calls for a comparison.
Outcome measures for individuals who receive the experimental treatment are compared with
outcome measures for those who do not receive the experimental treatment. This comparison
requires a control group—subjects who do not receive the experimental treatment. However,
in nursing studies, all patients require care, and those who do not receive the study
intervention receive standard care. Nurse researchers often refer to the group receiving
standard care, but no treatment, as the comparison group rather than the control group.
Essentially, the main difference between these terms is that control groups are nearly identical
to their experimental groups, except for assignment. Comparison groups differ, because of the
time at which data are collected, the way they are constituted, or other circumstances that
make them less likely to be nearly identical, leading to a higher occurrence of threats to
internal validity.
17. A school nurse researcher studying bullying discovers that the type of victimization she is
observing is different for different racial groups and genders within her school district. She
wants to study the effect of peer support on bullying and chooses to make sure that the
experimental and control groups, although randomly assigned, contain equal percentages of
children of all races. What does this strategy exemplify?
a. Carryover
b. Blocking
c. Counterbalancing
d. Sequencing
ANS: B
In blocking, the researcher includes subjects with various levels of an extraneous variable in
the sample but controls the numbers of subjects at each level of the variable and their random
assignment to groups within the study. Designs using blocking are referred to as randomized
block designs. The extraneous variable is then used as an independent variable in the data
analysis. Therefore, the extraneous variable must be included in the framework and the study
hypotheses.
18. A researcher uses matching to constitute his control group, while performing a study on
psychotherapy as an adjunct treatment for substance addiction. What type of validity might be
enhanced by matching, in this instance?
a. Construct validity
b. Statistical conclusion validity
c. External validity
d. Internal validity
ANS: D
Matching is used when a subject in the experimental group is randomly selected and then a
subject similar in relation to important extraneous variables is randomly selected for the
control group. For example, subjects in the experimental and control groups might be matched
for age, gender, severity of illness, or number of chronic illnesses. Statistical conclusion
validity is concerned with whether the conclusions about relationships or differences drawn
from statistical analysis are an accurate reflection of the real world: it is not affected by use of
matching. Internal validity is the extent to which the effects detected in the study are a true
reflection of reality rather than the result of extraneous variables: matching can increase
internal validity if the researcher can correctly identify the principal extraneous variables.
Construct validity examines the fit between the conceptual definitions and operational
definitions of variables: matching has no effect on this. External validity is concerned with the
extent to which study findings can be generalized beyond the sample used in the study;
matching does not affect external validity, to any extent.
19. Immediately after the intervention in an experimental study of the negative effects of smoking
tobacco, the state tax on cigarettes increases the cost from $4 to $8 per pack. Which threat to
internal validity does this pose?
a. Mortality
b. History
c. Testing
d. Selection
ANS: B
History is an event that is not related to the planned study but that occurs during the time of
the study. History could influence a subject's response to the treatment and alter the outcome
of the study. The attrition threat is due to subjects who drop out of a study before completion.
The circumstances in which a study is conducted (history) influence the treatment and thus the
generalizability of the findings. Sometimes, the effect being measured (testing) can be due to
the number of times the subject’s responses have been tested. The subject may remember
earlier, inaccurate responses and modify them, thus altering the outcome of teh study.
20. Subjects in a multiple group experimental study are tested for how much time it takes them to
navigate a maze and find the chocolate. The maze is reconstructed after each run, and three
different floor plans are used. Each group is tested eight times in eight hours. at a different
time of day. The runs later in the day have faster times than the earlier ones. Which threat to
internal validity might account for this difference?
a. Instrumentation
b. Selection
c. Maturation
d. Statistical regression toward the mean
ANS: C
Effects can be due to changes in measurement instruments (instrumentation) between the
pretest and the posttest rather than a result of the treatment. Selection addresses the process by
which subjects are chosen to take part in a study and how subjects are grouped within a study.
Maturation is defined as growing older, wiser, stronger, hungrier, more tired, or more
experienced during the study. The subkects in this study may have been through the three
different floor plans enough times to learn them. Such unplanned changes can influence the
findings of the study. Experimenter expectancy occurs when a researcher expects a particular
intervention to relieve pain.
21. A researcher believes that therapy is more effective if patients exercise. He tells his patients
that he has arranged for them to use the hospital gym, if they so desire—and that if they are
interested, they will then be in the experimental group. This represents which threat to internal
validity?
a. Maturation
b. Reliability of the implementation
c. History
d. Selection
ANS: D
Selection addresses the process by which subjects are chosen to take part in a study and how
subjects are grouped within a study. A selection threat is more likely to occur in studies in
which random assignment is not possible. In some studies, people selected for the study may
differ in some important way from people not selected for the study. In other studies, the
threat is due to differences in subjects selected for study groups. In this study, subjects choose
to be in the experimental group because they were willing to exercise; in this way, they differ
from the rest of the group—possibly they are less depressed—and this could introduce bias
into the study.
25. A researcher tests the effect of a new laparoscopic treatment for chronic shoulder dislocation.
The results are statistically significant, and the researcher states in his findings that there is
evidence that the treatment has promise for widespread application. A subsequent replication
study fails to show statistical significance. A third study produces the same effects as the
second. What is the most likely explanation here?
a. Type I error occurred in the first study.
b. Type II error occurred in the second and third studies.
c. Random error produced insufficient power.
d. Bias was introduced by replicating the study.
ANS: A
A serious concern in research is incorrectly concluding that a relationship or difference exists
when it does not (type I error, rejecting a true null). If only one of three studies supported the
new treatment, it is most likely that a type I error occurred in the first study. Low statistical
power increases the probability of concluding that there is no significant difference between
samples when actually there is a difference (Type II error, failing to reject a false null). A type
II error is most likely to occur when the sample size is small ro when the power of the
statistical test to determine differences is low. Random error has no effect on power.
Replication of research identifies areas of bias; it does not introduce bias.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. Threats to statistical conclusion validity include which of the following? (Select all that
apply.)
a. Fishing
b. Low statistical power
c. Maturation
d. Violated assumptions of statistical tests
e. History threat
ANS: A, B, D
Statistical conclusion validity is concerned with whether the conclusions about relationships
or differences drawn from statistical analysis are an accurate reflection of the real world. Low
statistical power increases the probability of concluding that there is no significant difference
between samples when actually there is a difference (type II error, failing to reject a false null)
(see Chapter 8 for discussion of the null hypothesis). Most statistical tests have assumptions
about the data collected, which include the following: (1) the data are at least at the interval
level, (2) the sample was randomly obtained, and (3) the distribution of scores was normal. If
these assumptions are violated, the statistical analysis may provide inaccurate results. The risk
of type I error increases when the researcher conducts multiple statistical analyses of
relationships or differences; this procedure is referred to as fishing.
2. Causality is tested through which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
a. Grounded theory research
b. Experimental research
c. All quantitative research
d. Mixed methods research
e. Quasi-experimental research
ANS: B, E
The first assumption you must make in examining causality is that causes lead to effects. The
only two of the primary quantitative methods that routinely examine classic causality are
experimental and quasi-experimental research.
4. Which of the following statements would lend support to the hypothesis that increasing
scientific knowledge allows humans to grasp multicausality, when single causation was
previously assumed to be the case in the time of the essentialists? (Select all that apply.)
a. Adolescents and young adults with entitlement issues may have been raised with
deprivation, not indulgence.
b. Scientific knowledge is increasing, as the gene is mapped.
c. The weather cannot be controlled, but it can be affected by geologic events such as
volcanic eruption.
d. Gender of the fetus, although determined by the father, may be more likely to be
either male or female, depending on the timing of sexual relations.
e. Genetic migrations can be tracked fairly effectively, by calculating the relative
frequency of various Landsteiner blood types in different countries.
ANS: A, C, E
A philosophical group known as essentialists proposed that two concepts must be considered
in determining causality: necessary and sufficient. The proposed cause must be necessary for
the effect to occur. (The effect cannot occur unless the cause first occurs.) The proposed cause
must also be sufficient (requiring no other factors) for the effect to occur. This leaves no room
for a variable that may sometimes, but not always, serves as the cause of an effect. “Spare the
rod and spoil the child.” “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about
it.” “The father effectively “decides” the gender of the child by passing on either an X or a Y
to the offspring.”
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Page 209
5. In which instances could bias in measuring embarrassment be decreased? (Select all that
apply.)
a. Use more than only one way of collecting the data (such as a verbal response + an
external rater).
b. Use more than only one question to elicit the response (such as Yes–No + how
much).
c. Use more than only one modality of measurement (such as Yes–No + a
physiologic instrument).
d. Hypnotize subjects, so that they give absolutely honest answers.
e. Replicate the study.
ANS: A, B, C
Mono-operation bias occurs when only one method of measurement is used to assess a
construct. When only one method of measurement is used, fewer dimensions of the construct
are measured. Construct validity greatly improves if the researcher uses more than one
instrument. It is often possible to apply more than one measurement of the dependent variable
with little increase in time, effort, or cost. In monomethod bias, the researcher uses more than
one measure of a variable, but all the measures use the same method of recording.
6. A researcher wants to make sure that his experimental group and his control group are
equivalent, so he uses random sampling followed by random assignment to group. What else
must the researcher do to assure the consumers of his research that the groups were
equivalent? (Select all that apply.)
a. Report the sameness or difference of potentially extraneous variables, using post
hoc statistical testing.
b. Eliminate all other extraneous variables from the analysis.
c. Rebalance the samples, controlling for all potentially extraneous variables, by
moving subjects back and forth until both groups have the same distribution of all
variables.
d. Randomly assign the sample again, hoping for a better outcome the second time.
e. Report the sameness or difference of subgroups possessing unequal proportions of
any potentially extraneous variable, with respect to the dependent variable.
ANS: A, E
The most effective strategy for achieving equivalence is random sampling followed by
random assignment to groups. However, this strategy does not guarantee equivalence. Even
when randomization has been used, the researcher must examine the extent of equivalence by
measuring and comparing characteristics for which the groups must be equivalent. This
comparison is usually reported in the description of the sample.
7. A researcher plans to study graduate-level achievement in all students who were educated
under the Vermont public school system, in a small town that used both state-mandated texts
and enrichment texts of the school board’s choosing. Considering the limitations to
generalizability, how can the researcher justify conducting the study to the institutional review
board? (Select all that apply.)
a. The researcher does not have to justify conducting the study. It has not been
performed before, and so there is a gap in the literature.
b. The researcher could argue that if graduate-level achievement is markedly lower in
this group, the results could cautiously suggest revision of the town’s educational
practices.
c. The researcher could write a proposal to study all towns in Vermont, so as to have
been generalizability, and then study only this one.
d. The researcher could justify conducting the study on the basis that it might
enlighten the public school system in its decisions to mandate chosen texts.
e. The researcher could reason that if graduate-level achievement is markedly higher
in this group, the results could cautiously suggest a similar educational approach
for other similar communities.
ANS: B, D, E
External validity is concerned with the extent to which study findings can be generalized
beyond the sample used in the study. With the most serious threat, the findings would be
meaningful only for the group being studied. To some extent, the significance of the study
depends on the number of types of people and situations to which the findings can be applied.
Sometimes, the factors influencing external validity are subtle and may not be reported in
research reports; however, the researcher must be responsible for these factors. Generalization
is usually narrower for a single study than for multiple replications of a study using different
samples, perhaps from different populations in different settings.
9. Aside from random assignment using a large sample, what are ways to structure a design that
control for known extraneous variables? (Select all that apply.)
a. Matching
b. Selection of a heterogeneous sample
c. Selecting a homogeneous sample
d. Blocking
e. Stratification
ANS: A, C, D, E
Homogeneity is a more extreme form of equivalence in which the researcher limits the
subjects to only one level of an extraneous variable to reduce its impact on the study findings.
To use this strategy, you must have previously identified the extraneous variables. Matching is
used when a subject in the experimental group is randomly selected and then a subject similar
in relation to important extraneous variables is randomly selected for the control group.
Heterogeneity is designed to increase generalizability of the study findings, not to control for
extraneous variables. In blocking, the researcher includes subjects with various levels of an
extraneous variable in the sample but controls the numbers of subjects at each level of the
variable and their random assignment to groups within the study. Stratification involves the
distribution of subjects throughout the sample, using sampling techniques similar to those
used in blocking, but the purpose of the procedure is even distribution throughout the sample.
The extraneous variable is not included in the data analysis. Distribution of the extraneous
variable is included in the description of the sample.
10. What is the most effective way to minimize the effect of all extraneous variables between the
experimental group and the control group? (Select all that apply.)
a. Match the groups by hand.
b. Randomly assign subjects to group.
c. Use a large sample.
d. Place subjects into groups according to the extraneous variables they possess.
e. Allow subjects to choose the groups to which they want to belong.
ANS: B, C
Design strategies used to control extraneous variables include random sampling, random
assignment to groups, selecting subjects that are homogeneous in terms of a particular
extraneous variable, selecting a heterogeneous sample, blocking, stratification, matching
subjects between groups in relation to a particular variable, and statistical control. Random
sampling increases the probability that subjects with various levels of an extraneous variable
are included and are randomly dispersed throughout the groups within the study (Thompson,
2002). This strategy is particularly important for controlling unidentified extraneous variables.
Fig. 10.
We have now to settle the form, combination, and proportion of the
springs. Springs which are laid on the axle at right angles have to
carry the whole of the weight of the carriage, save only the wheels
and axles. Where other springs are used in addition it is not
necessary that the axle-springs should have much play. It will be
sufficient to give them just so much play as will intercept the
concussion caused by moving over a road. The strength of the
springs must of course be adjusted to the weight they have to carry,
for it is evident that if they be made sufficiently elastic to carry the
weight of six persons, they will be found hard if only three enter the
carriage. This is a disadvantage all carriages must labour under, for
it is ridiculous to suppose that if a carriage is constructed to hold six
that number will always want to use it at the same time. There would
seem to be room for some improvement in the way of introducing
springs adjustable to any weight, though, to give spring-makers their
due, they do turn out really a first-class article in this respect; this is
more noticeable because it is so recent. Light carriages are never so
easy to ride as heavy ones, even when the springs are well adjusted,
because on meeting with an obstacle there is not a sufficient
resistance to the bound or jerk upwards of the spring, which makes
riding in a light carriage over a rough road rather unpleasant.
The position of the front wheels next demands attention. As these
have to turn under the body it requires some skill to fix them, and the
play of the springs, the height of the axletree, and the height of the
arch (the portion of the body under which they turn) have all to be
considered. This will be more particularly described when dealing
with wheel-plates.
The rule for the height of the splinter-bar, to which the traces or
shafts are fixed, is that it should fall on a line drawn from the horse’s
shoulder to the centre of the hind wheel. This, however, is not always
convenient in practice, as the fore wheels regulate the height of the
framing of the under carriage, to which the splinter-bar is fixed. The
distance of the splinter-bar from the central pin, on which the wheel-
plate and fore carriage turn, is regulated by the size of the wheels
and the projection of the driving seat footboard.
All the above particulars are considered when setting out the full-
sized draught, and all points capable of delineation are put on the
board in some convenient part. In Fig. 9 the outline is simply given,
as to show everything would only confuse the reader. Such other
details as are required are filled in after the draught has reached the
stage shown in the figure.
It is most necessary for the safe conduct of a coach and carriage
builder’s business that there should be a goodly stack of well-
seasoned timber of the various kinds required, otherwise great
trouble and vexation will arise in the course of business from a good
piece of timber being perhaps spoilt in working, and there not being
another piece in the factory to replace it.
Where there is sufficient accommodation it is usual for makers to
season their own timber in specially constructed sheds, which are
kept from bad weather, but at the same time thoroughly well
ventilated. In these the timber is stacked, with small fillets between
each plank or board, to insure a free current of air circulating all
round. One year should be allowed for seasoning for every inch of
thickness in the timber, and none should be used in which this rule
has not been observed.
Thin portions of timber, such as panel stuff and the like, should be
treated in the same way, and in addition the ends should be secured
to prevent splitting. The panel stuff undergoes another process of
seasoning after it is planed up; in fact, all the thin timber required for
roofs, sides, &c., does. And about the first thing done in commencing
to build a carriage is for the body-maker to get his thin stuff ready, as
far as planing it up goes, and then to put it aside in some moderately
dry place, with slips of wood between each board to allow a
circulation of air round them. The other stuff that is likely to be
required should also be selected and put aside. If all these things be
strictly attended to, there is not likely to be much trouble about bad
joints; and it will be to the employer’s interest to look after such
workmen who have not enough scientific knowledge to see the
reason of things themselves, and put them in the right direction. But
an intelligent workman will soon appreciate the advantage of getting
his stuff ready at the commencement, instead of waiting till he wants
to use it.
The parts composing the body may be thus enumerated:—
The frame or case.
The doors.
The glasses, which are fixed in thin frames of wainscot, covered
with cloth or velvet. It is a very good thing to have india-rubber for
these to fall on, and little india-rubber buffers would prevent them
from rattling.
The blinds, which are sometimes panel, but more generally
Venetian, so adjusted with springs that the bars may stand open at
any required angle.
The curtains, of silk, which slide up and down on spring rollers.
The lining and cushions, of cloth, silk, or morocco, as the case
may be, ornamented with lace, &c. The cushions are sometimes
made elastic with small spiral springs.
The steps, which are made to fold up and fit into recesses in the
doors, or in the bottom, when they are not in use.
The lamps, which are fixed to the fore part of the body by means
of iron stays.
The boot, on which is carried the coachman’s seat.
In carriages suspended from C springs we have in addition:—
The check-brace rings, to which are attached leather braces from
the spring heads, to prevent the body from swinging too much
backwards and forwards.
The collar-brace rings, to which are attached leather braces from
the perch, to prevent the body swinging too much upwards or
sideways.
The curve or rounding given to the side of the body from end to
end is called the side-cant, and the rounding from the top to the
bottom the turn-under. Some makers arrive at this curve by framing
the skeleton of the body together with square timber, and then round
these off to the required curve after they are put together. It must be
evident to any one that this proceeding will greatly strain the joints,
and under any circumstances will never give thorough satisfaction or
good results, and the waste of time and material must be very
considerable.
The proper way is to set the curve out beforehand on a board
called the “cant” board, and the method of doing this is as follows:—
Take a clean pine board, plane it up to a smooth surface. Shoot
one edge perfectly true with a trying-plane. This straight edge may
be taken to represent the side of the carriage if it were a straight line.
Apply this edge to the full-sized draught, and mark along it the
various parts of the body (see Fig. 8, in which the numbered points
are those required to form the side-cant). By means of these points
the required sweep can be set up or drawn, as shown by the dotted
line C in the figure. Now, if you choose, you can cut away the portion
between A and B, and a template will be formed to which the
constructional timbers can be cut; and it possesses the advantage of
being easily applied to the carriage as it proceeds, to see that the
curve is true and uniform. As this template forms the pattern to which
the timber, &c., is cut, great care is requisite in forming it, so that it
shall be perfectly true.
In order to get the turn-under, the same process is gone through
on another board. This gives what is called the “standing” pillar
pattern, the standing pillar being the upright timber to which the door
is hinged.
There is no rule in particular for determining the amount of side-
cant or turn-under to be given to a vehicle, 2½ or 3 inches on each
side making the outside width of the body; 5 or 6 inches less at the
bottom than at the elbow line is a usual allowance, but this is entirely
dependent on the will or taste of the workman.
The cant-board described above is one having a “concave”
surface; but it quite as often has a convex surface, and it is just as
well to have one of each, and use the convex for cutting the timbers
to, and the concave for trying them when in place, though, if this be
done, it is imperative that the curves on the two boards should be
one and the same. The same remarks apply to the standing pillar
pattern.
The body is a species of box, fitted with doors and windows, and
lined and wadded for the purpose of comfort. As the greatest amount
of strain is put upon the bottom part, and the forces acting on the
other parts are transmitted to the bottom, it is necessary that it
should be very strongly put together. The two side bottom timbers
are bonded, or tied together, by two cross timbers called bottom
bars, which are firmly framed into them. To give depth to the floor,
without destroying the symmetry of the side, deep pieces of elm
plank are fixed to the inside of the side bottom pieces, and to these
the flooring-boards are nailed, being additionally secured by iron
strap plates, nailed or screwed beneath them. In the central portion
of the bottom sides are framed the door-posts, called standing
pillars. At the angles of the bottom framework are scarfed the corner
pillars. The cross framing pieces, which connect the pillars, are
called rails. Two of these rails stretch across the body inside, on
which the seats are formed; these are called seat rails. The doors
are framed double, to contain a hollow space for the glasses and
blinds, and they are fastened by means of a wedge lock, forced into
a groove by a lever handle. There is a window in each door and one
in front of an ordinary carriage, say a brougham. The doors are
hinged with secret or flush hinges.
Before cutting the timber to the various sizes required, patterns or
templates of all the parts are made in thin wood from the full-sized
draught; also of the various curves likely to be given to the different
parts of the body.
Before a workman could be trusted with the making of a body, he
must of course have considerably advanced in the knowledge of his
craft beyond the mere use of his tools, because the success of a
carriage depends very largely upon the individual skill of the
workman, more so than perhaps in any other trade.
The stuff is marked out from the thin patterns before mentioned by
means of chalk, and in doing so care should be taken to lay the
patterns on the timber so that the grain may run as nearly as
possible in a line with it, and thus obtaining the greatest possible
strength in the wood, which lies in the direction of the grain. Thus if
the pattern be straight, lay it down on a piece of straight-grained
timber; if the pattern sweep round, then get a piece of timber the
grain of which will follow, or nearly follow, the line of pattern.
The strongest timber that can be obtained is necessary for the
construction of the hind and front bottom sides; for the weight is
directly transmitted to these, more particularly the hind bottom sides,
where the pump-handles are fixed.
The body-maker, having marked and cut out the various pieces of
timber he will require, planes a flat side to each of them, from which
all the other sides, whether plain or curved, are formed and finished.
They are then framed and scarfed together, after which the various
grooves are formed for the panels and rebates, for the floor-boards
to fit on to. Then, if there is to be any carved or beaded work, it is
performed by the carver. Previous to being fitted in, some of the
panels have strong canvas glued firmly on their backs, and when
fitted in blocks are glued round the internal angles to give greater
security to the joints, and to fix the panels firmly in their places.
Before the upper panels are put in, the roof is nailed on, and all the
joints stuck over with glued blocks inside. The upper panels are then
put on, united at the corners, and blocked inside.
If the foreman who superintends all this be a thoroughly skilful
artisan, and the men under him possess equal intelligence and skill,
the work might be distributed amongst almost as many men as there
are parts in the framework of the body. These parts will be worked
up, the mortises and tenons, the rabbets and tongues, being all cut
to specified gauges; and when they are all ready it will be found that
they go together like a Chinese puzzle.
The woodwork being completed, the currier now takes the body in
hand, and a hide of undressed leather, specially prepared for it, is
strained over the roof, the back, and the top quarters of the body
whilst in a soft pulpy state, and carefully sleeked or flattened down till
it is perfectly flat. This sleeking down is a rather tedious process, and
takes a long time and a great amount of care to bring it to a
successful issue; when it is flattened down satisfactorily, it is nailed
round the edges and left to dry, which will take several days.
Such panels as require bending may be brought to the required
sweep by wetting one side and subjecting the other to heat, as of a
small furnace.
The doors are now made and hinged, and the hollow spaces
intended to hold the glasses and blinds are covered in with thin
boards, to prevent any foreign matter from getting down into the
space, and being a source of trouble to dislodge.
In constructing the body the aid of the smith is called in. His
services are required to strengthen the parts subjected to great
strain, more particularly the timbers forming the construction of the
lower portion. All along each side of the body should be plated with
iron; this should be of the best brand and toughest quality. It is
several inches wide, and varies from ¼ to ¾ of an inch in thickness.
This is called the “edge plate,” and is really the backbone of the
body, for everything depends on its stability. It should run from one
extremity to the other, commencing at the hind bottom bar, on to
which it should be cranked, and ending at the front part of the front
boot, bottom side. This plate should take a perfectly flat bearing at
every point. Great care must be taken in fitting it, for although the
plate may be of the requisite strength the absence of this perfect
fitting will render it comparatively weak, the result of which will be
found, when the carriage is completed and mounted on the wheels,
by the springing of the sides, which will cause the pillars of the body
to press on the doors, and it will be a matter of great difficulty to
open them.
In the application of smith’s work to coach-building, it is often
necessary to fit the iron to intricate parts while it is red hot, and if due
precaution be not taken the wood becomes charred and useless,
and in cases where there are glued joints it may cause the loosening
or breaking of these joints and other material defects. It is an easy
matter to have the means at hand to get over the difficulty. All that is
necessary is to have handy some heat neutraliser. One of the
commonest things that can be used is chalk, and no smith’s shop
should ever be without it. If chalk is rubbed over the surface to which
the hot iron is to be applied it will not char or burn. Plaster of Paris is
a still more powerful heat neutraliser, and it is freer from grit. A small
quantity of the plaster mixed with water, and worked up to the proper
consistency, will be ready for use in about two hours. Many smiths
will say that they never have any accidents in applying heated iron,
but on inquiry the reason is apparent, for it will generally be found
that such men use chalk, in order to see that the iron plate takes its
proper bearings, thus inadvertently using a proper heat neutraliser. If
it were more generally known that the difficulty could be met by such
simple means, there would be less material spoilt in the smith’s
shop.
It has been very common of late years for body-makers to use
glue instead of screws and nails for panel work, &c.; but it requires a
great deal of experience for a man to use glue with successful
results. It is useless for the tyro to try it; he will only spoil the work.
So, unless the artisan be well experienced in the treatment and
application of glue, he had better leave it alone. To render the
operation successful two considerations must be taken into account.
First: To do good gluing requires that the timber should be well
seasoned and the work well fitted. Second: In preparing for gluing
use a scratch plane or rasp to form a rough surface of the pieces to
be joined together, for the same purpose that a plasterer scores over
his first coat of plaster-work, in order to give a key or hold. The shop
in which the gluing is done should be at a pretty good temperature,
and so should the material, so that the glue may flow freely. Having
the glue properly prepared, spread it upon the parts, so as to fill up
the pores and grain of the wood, and put the pieces together; then
keep the joints tight by means of iron cramps where it is possible,
and if this cannot be done the joints must be pushed tightly up, and
held till the glue is a little set and there is no fear of its giving way. All
superfluous glue will be forced out by this pressure and can be
cleaned off.
A great cause of bad gluing is using inferior glue and laying it on
too thick. Before using a new quality of glue, the body-maker should
always test it by taking, say a piece of poplar and a piece of ash, and
glue them together, and if when dry the joints give way under
leverage caused by the insertion of the chisel, the glue is not fit for
the purposes of carriage-building and should be rejected. With good
glue, like good cement, the material should rather give way than the
substance promoting adhesion. This is a very severe test, but in
putting it into practice you will be repaid by the stability of your work.
Waterproof Glue.