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Case Study

Based on the provided context, explain how the researchers can incorporate survey methodology to achieve their second objective (testing the causal hypothesis), and explain how this approach complements traditional laboratory studies.

Case context: A research team wants to study the relationship between social media use and anxiety. First, they want to describe the prevalence of anxiety in a diverse national sample. Second, they want to test a specific causal hypothesis that receiving negative comments directly causes an increase in temporary anxiety. They are considering using both a traditional laboratory study and a large-scale survey-based experiment.

Question: Based on the provided context, explain how the researchers can incorporate survey methodology to achieve their second objective (testing the causal hypothesis), and explain how this approach complements traditional laboratory studies.

Sample answer: To test the causal hypothesis, the researchers can run an experiment where they manipulate the independent variable (e.g., the presence of negative comments) and use a survey as the data collection method to measure the dependent variable (anxiety). By conducting this experiment using a survey with a large and diverse sample, they can complement traditional laboratory studies, which are typically limited to smaller, homogeneous samples like university students.

Key points:

  • Surveys can function as data collection methods within experimental research to test causal hypotheses.
  • Survey-based experiments manipulate independent variables and measure outcomes via surveys.
  • Large and diverse survey samples complement traditional laboratory studies (which typically use restricted samples like university students).

Rubric: The response must demonstrate comprehension of how surveys can be used within experimental research to test causal relationships by measuring variables under manipulated conditions. It must also explain that deploying these survey-based experiments to large and diverse samples complements traditional laboratory studies.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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