Identify and describe the primary types of barriers that require a researcher to use a non-experimental design, even when their research addresses a potential causal relationship. According to the conditions of non-experimental research, what must the researcher rely on instead of deliberate manipulation?
Question: Identify and describe the primary types of barriers that require a researcher to use a non-experimental design, even when their research addresses a potential causal relationship. According to the conditions of non-experimental research, what must the researcher rely on instead of deliberate manipulation?
Sample answer: A researcher must use a non-experimental design when practical or ethical barriers prevent the manipulation of the independent variable or the random assignment of participants. Because they cannot deliberately alter conditions, researchers must instead rely on the observation of pre-existing, naturally occurring differences.
Key points:
- Practical barriers
- Ethical barriers
- Inability to manipulate the independent variable or randomly assign participants
- Reliance on observing pre-existing, naturally occurring differences
Rubric: Full credit is awarded if the student explicitly identifies both 'practical' and 'ethical' barriers, mentions that they prevent manipulation of variables or random assignment, and states that researchers must rely on observing pre-existing, naturally occurring differences.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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