Explain the fundamental difference between correlational and experimental research in their ability to establish causation. In your answer, recall the specific design feature that enables experimental research to support cause-and-effect claims.
Question: Explain the fundamental difference between correlational and experimental research in their ability to establish causation. In your answer, recall the specific design feature that enables experimental research to support cause-and-effect claims.
Sample answer: Correlational research is effective at identifying relationships between variables but cannot establish causation. In contrast, experimental research is the only method that allows for cause-and-effect claims. This is because experiments are designed to control for or eliminate alternative explanations, which enables researchers to isolate how changes in one variable directly cause changes in another.
Key points:
- Correlational research identifies relationships between variables but cannot establish causation.
- Experimental research is the only method that allows for cause-and-effect claims.
- Experiments are designed to control for or eliminate alternative explanations.
- Controlling alternative explanations enables researchers to isolate how changes in one variable directly cause changes in another.
Rubric: The student must state that correlational research identifies relationships but cannot establish causation, whereas experimental research allows for cause-and-effect claims. They must also recall that experiments achieve this by controlling for or eliminating alternative explanations to isolate how changes in one variable directly cause changes in another.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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