When a researcher's objective is to explain a phenomenon by establishing a causal relationship, which research approach is generally preferred?

A clinical psychologist aims to determine if using a specific mindfulness smartphone app causes a reduction in social anxiety symptoms among teenagers. To achieve this scientific goal of explanation, the psychologist should utilize a non-experimental research approach.

A psychologist is designing a study to investigate the relationship between social media usage and attention span. Arrange the following steps in the correct logical order to illustrate how the researcher should match their research approach to their scientific goal.

In psychological research, a non-experimental approach is the appropriate strategy when the scientist's goal is to describe a variable or predict outcomes based on naturally occurring associations.

In psychological research, why is a non-experimental approach considered appropriate for the scientific goal of 'prediction', but generally insufficient for the goal of 'explanation'?

A research team proposes three different studies. Match each study description to the research approach it uses and the scientific goal it serves.

To evaluate the validity of a causal claim in psychology, a researcher must judge whether the study design matches the scientific goal of explanation. If a researcher concludes that one variable is responsible for another based on a non-experimental study, they have committed a methodological mismatch; to properly support the goal of explanation, they should have utilized a/an _____ research approach.

Match each hypothetical psychological study scenario to the appropriate research approach based on its scientific goal.

A cognitive psychologist wants to explain the phenomenon of memory consolidation by determining if sleep quality directly causes changes in recall scores. If the researcher only measures naturally occurring sleep patterns and correlates them with recall performance without manipulating any variables, they are using a(n) _____ approach, which is logically mismatched with their scientific goal of establishing a causal relationship.

Arrange the steps in the correct logical sequence to evaluate whether a researcher's proposed study design is appropriate for their scientific objectives.