Based on the limitations of observational research, diagnose why the psychologist's causal conclusion is unjustified. Explain how the non-experimental nature of her study prevents her from establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.
Case context: A psychologist spends two weeks at a local dog park observing pet owners. She records the length of time owners spend interacting with their dogs and also notes the dogs' visible activity levels. She finds that owners who interact longer have dogs with higher activity levels. She concludes that owner interaction causes dogs to become more active.
Question: Based on the limitations of observational research, diagnose why the psychologist's causal conclusion is unjustified. Explain how the non-experimental nature of her study prevents her from establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.
Sample answer: The psychologist's conclusion is unjustified because her study is observational and therefore non-experimental. Since she did not manipulate or control any variables (such as randomly assigning interaction times or controlling environmental factors), she cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Her study only provides a descriptive snapshot of the behaviors as they naturally occur, making it impossible to identify the underlying causal mechanisms between owner interaction and dog activity.
Key points:
- Identifies the study as observational/non-experimental.
- Explains that the researcher did not manipulate or control any variables.
- States that the study only provides a descriptive snapshot of naturally occurring behaviors.
- Concludes that a cause-and-effect relationship/causal mechanism cannot be identified.
Rubric: Students should identify that the study is non-experimental and observational. They must explain that because the researcher did not manipulate or control the variables (interaction time or activity levels), she cannot draw causal conclusions. The response must contrast a descriptive snapshot of naturally occurring behavior with the identification of causal mechanisms.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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