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Identify the primary error in the researcher's causal conclusion and explain why the study's design does not support this claim. What specific type of research method would be required to justify the conclusion?
Case context: A developmental psychologist conducts an observational study and finds a very strong positive correlation between the number of hours children spend reading books and their level of social empathy. In the study discussion, the researcher writes: 'These findings suggest that encouraging parents to read more books to their children will directly cause an increase in their children's social empathy.'
Question: Identify the primary error in the researcher's causal conclusion and explain why the study's design does not support this claim. What specific type of research method would be required to justify the conclusion?
Sample answer: The researcher's primary error is assuming that correlation implies causation. The study's observational design only shows a statistical relationship where reading hours and empathy move together, but this does not provide evidence that reading causes empathy. To justify this causal claim, the researcher must conduct a controlled experiment, which is the only definitive way to establish cause-and-effect in scientific research.
Key points:
- The researcher incorrectly assumes that correlation implies causation.
- An observational correlation indicates a statistical relationship but does not prove that a change in one variable causes a change in the other.
- A controlled experiment is the only definitive method to demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship.
Rubric: Grading Rubric: - 1 point: Identifies the error of assuming correlation implies causation. - 1 point: Explains that the study's design only demonstrates that the variables move together, which is not evidence of a causal link. - 1 point: Identifies a controlled experiment as the required method to justify the causal claim.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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Identify the primary error in the researcher's causal conclusion and explain why the study's design does not support this claim. What specific type of research method would be required to justify the conclusion?
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