Essay

According to the provided text, what is the single factor that determines whether a factorial design is classified as experimental or non-experimental, and what is the primary advantage of the experimental classification?

Question: According to the provided text, what is the single factor that determines whether a factorial design is classified as experimental or non-experimental, and what is the primary advantage of the experimental classification?

Sample answer: The classification of a factorial design depends entirely on the active manipulation of its independent variables. If the variables are actively manipulated, the design is experimental; if they are only measured, it is non-experimental. The primary advantage of an experimental design is that it allows researchers to make stronger causal inferences.

Key points:

  • Classification depends entirely on the active manipulation of independent variables.
  • Non-experimental designs simply measure pre-existing variables.
  • Experimental designs allow for stronger causal inferences.

Rubric: The response must state that active manipulation of the independent variables determines the classification and explain that this manipulation allows for stronger causal inferences.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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