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Explain why the psychologist chose a correlational research design instead of an experimental design for this study. In your explanation, identify the nature of the variables in this scenario and explain how this design helps achieve the goals of description and prediction.
Case context: A developmental psychologist wants to investigate the relationship between the amount of time children spend using touch-screen devices and their attention span. The psychologist measures both variables in a sample of 100 children in their natural home environment without intervening or altering their screen-time habits.
Question: Explain why the psychologist chose a correlational research design instead of an experimental design for this study. In your explanation, identify the nature of the variables in this scenario and explain how this design helps achieve the goals of description and prediction.
Sample answer: The psychologist chose a correlational design because it is a non-experimental approach where variables are measured as they naturally occur. In this case, device usage and attention span are measured without manipulating an independent variable (such as forcing kids to use screens for set periods) which could be impractical or unethical. This design allows the researcher to describe the strength and direction of the relationship between touch-screen use and attention span, and predict attention spans from device use using regression, without establishing a causal relationship.
Key points:
- The design is non-experimental because both touch-screen time and attention span are measured, with no manipulation of an independent variable.
- Manipulating children's screen time in an experimental way may be unethical, impractical, or impossible, making a correlational design appropriate.
- The researcher can describe the strength and direction of the relationship between touch-screen use and attention span.
- The researcher can predict children's attention span scores from their screen-time scores using regression.
Rubric: To earn full credit, the response must: 1) Explain that the correlational design is non-experimental and variables are measured as they occur rather than manipulated. 2) Mention the practical or ethical reasons for not manipulating touch-screen usage in children. 3) Describe how the study achieves description of the relationship (strength and direction). 4) Explain how prediction is achieved using regression based on the measured variables.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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