Case Study

Explain how this train station study mirrors the design features of the shopping mall study described in the parent text. Your explanation should identify the setting, the variables, the data collection method, and why this design is classified as a field correlational study.

Case context: A researcher interested in green behavior decides to conduct research at a local train station. They survey commuters about their daily public transit usage and their level of support for environmental tax policies. The researcher then computes the correlation between these two variables to see if there is a relationship, without introducing any changes to the train schedules, ticket prices, or station environment.

Question: Explain how this train station study mirrors the design features of the shopping mall study described in the parent text. Your explanation should identify the setting, the variables, the data collection method, and why this design is classified as a field correlational study.

Sample answer: This train station study matches the design features of the shopping mall study because it is conducted in a naturalistic field environment (the train station) rather than a laboratory. The researcher uses a self-report method (surveying commuters) to collect data on two measured variables: public transit usage and environmental policy support. Finally, like the shopping mall study, the researcher only assesses the statistical relationship between these two variables without manipulating any conditions (such as ticket prices or schedules), classifying it as a field correlational study.

Key points:

  • Identifies the train station as the everyday, naturalistic field environment.
  • Recognizes that surveying commuters is a self-report data collection method.
  • Identifies the two measured variables: public transit usage and environmental policy support.
  • Explains that assessing the relationship without manipulating conditions makes it correlational.

Rubric: The response should demonstrate comprehension by matching the train station study components to the field correlational research criteria: naturalistic setting, self-report data collection, and assessment of variables without manipulation.

0

1

Updated 2026-05-27

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

KPU

Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

Related