An investigation designed to ascertain the strength of association between two variables is called: ___________?
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Answer: B. the correlational method
Explanation
The correlational method calculates statistical associations between two or more naturally occurring variables. Researchers use this method to determine whether changes in one variable correspond with changes in another. Correlation coefficients indicate the direction and strength of the relationship without implying causation. Correlational research relies on measuring variables rather than manipulating them experimentally. Correlation coefficients range from negative one to positive one, with zero indicating no relationship. Scatterplots provide a visual representation of the strength and direction of paired data points.
Psychologists use correlational studies when ethical or practical constraints prevent experimental manipulation. Discovering a strong correlation allows researchers to make predictions about future behavior or outcomes. A famous statistical maxim reminds researchers that correlation does not automatically prove causation. Naturalistic observation involves watching subjects in their natural environment without formal statistical variable pairing. A controlled experiment actively manipulates independent variables to establish definitive cause-and-effect conclusions. The survey method gathers self-report data from populations using questionnaires or structured interviews.
- Subject
- Psychology
- Category
- Psychology
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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