A researcher wants to study the relationship between daily exercise and stress levels using a complementary research strategy. Describe a brief two-step research plan that applies both non-experimental and experimental methods in the correct logical sequence to investigate this topic.
Question: A researcher wants to study the relationship between daily exercise and stress levels using a complementary research strategy. Describe a brief two-step research plan that applies both non-experimental and experimental methods in the correct logical sequence to investigate this topic.
Sample answer: First, the researcher would use a non-experimental design, such as a survey, to measure and describe participants' daily exercise habits and stress levels as they naturally occur. Second, the researcher would use an experimental design, randomly assigning participants to different exercise levels, to systematically manipulate exercise and determine its causal effect on stress.
Key points:
- The first step uses a non-experimental method to describe daily exercise and stress levels as they naturally occur.
- The second step uses an experimental method to systematically manipulate exercise levels.
- The plan correctly sequences the designs to move from describing the behavior to identifying a causal mechanism.
Feedback: The answer should describe a two-step sequence: (1) a non-experimental phase (like a survey or observation) to describe exercise and stress levels as they naturally occur, and (2) an experimental phase that manipulates exercise levels to test for a causal effect on stress.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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