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Based on the concept of internal validity described in the text, identify whether this study has high or low internal validity. Explain why this non-experimental correlational design cannot justify the researcher's causal conclusion, and describe at least one alternative explanation (such as reverse causation or extraneous factors) for the observed link.
Case context: A psychologist conducts a study where they survey 200 participants and find a strong statistical relationship between the number of hours they spend exercising each week and their self-reported happiness scores. The researcher publishes a report concluding that regular exercise is the direct cause of increased happiness.
Question: Based on the concept of internal validity described in the text, identify whether this study has high or low internal validity. Explain why this non-experimental correlational design cannot justify the researcher's causal conclusion, and describe at least one alternative explanation (such as reverse causation or extraneous factors) for the observed link.
Sample answer: This study has low internal validity. Since it uses a non-experimental correlational design, the variables are measured but not manipulated, which means the design cannot justify the conclusion that exercise directly caused changes in happiness. Alternative explanations, such as reverse causation (happier people choosing to exercise more) or extraneous variables (like overall health or income), could explain the correlation instead.
Key points:
- The study exhibits low internal validity because it uses a non-experimental correlational design.
- Non-experimental designs measure variables without experimenter manipulation, which cannot justify causal conclusions.
- Alternative explanations, including reverse causation or extraneous factors, might explain the statistical relationship.
Rubric: The response must correctly identify the study as having low internal validity and specify that this is due to its non-experimental correlational design. It must explain that because variables are not manipulated, a direct causal relationship cannot be confirmed. Finally, it must offer at least one valid alternative explanation, such as reverse causation or other extraneous factors.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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According to the provided text, what does internal validity indicate in an empirical study?
True or False: According to the text, a statistical relationship between regular exercise and happiness confirms that exercise causes happiness.
Match each research scenario or design category with the description of its setup and corresponding effect on internal validity.
A researcher conducts a study and finds a statistical relationship between regular exercise and happiness. Because this is a non-experimental correlational design, the study is low in _____ validity, as the researcher cannot confirm whether exercise causes happiness or if reverse causation is at play.
Evaluate the following research scenarios based on the provided text and order them from the HIGHEST level of internal validity (first) to the LOWEST level of internal validity (last):
Define 'internal validity' based on the provided text. In your answer, explain why experimental designs typically achieve high internal validity while non-experimental correlational designs exhibit low internal validity, referencing the specific examples mentioned in the text.
Based on the concept of internal validity described in the text, identify whether this study has high or low internal validity. Explain why this non-experimental correlational design cannot justify the researcher's causal conclusion, and describe at least one alternative explanation (such as reverse causation or extraneous factors) for the observed link.
A researcher wants to design an empirical study with high internal validity to test if a new tutoring program causes an increase in students' test scores. Based on the features of experimental research described in the text, how should the researcher structure their study's design to justify this causal conclusion?