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Define cross-sectional research and explain the two main reasons why it is classified as a non-experimental design.
Question: Define cross-sectional research and explain the two main reasons why it is classified as a non-experimental design.
Sample answer: Cross-sectional research is a non-experimental design used to investigate changes over time by simultaneously comparing two or more pre-existing groups of people, such as individuals in different age brackets. It is classified as non-experimental because it relies on naturally occurring group differences rather than the manipulation of an independent variable or random assignment.
Key points:
- Defines cross-sectional research as comparing two or more pre-existing groups simultaneously.
- Identifies that the design is used to investigate changes over time.
- Explains that there is no manipulation of an independent variable.
- Explains that there is no random assignment of participants to groups.
Rubric: The response must define cross-sectional research as comparing pre-existing groups of people simultaneously to study changes over time. It must also explain that the design is non-experimental because it lacks the manipulation of an independent variable and does not use random assignment.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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Cons of Doing Cross-Sectional Research
Advantage of Cross-Sectional Research: Shorter Time Investment
A team of researchers wants to investigate how the average number of hours spent reading for pleasure changes with age. Which of the following study designs would allow them to gather all their data within a single month by comparing different segments of the population at the same time?
Cross-Sequential Research
Cohort Effect
Independent-Samples t-Test
Example of Cross-Sectional Research: Dietary Habits Study
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