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A fellow psychology student argues that because non-experimental research cannot provide strong evidence that changes in an independent variable cause differences in a dependent variable, it is nonscientific and less important than experimental research. Evaluate this claim based on the goals of science and the practical constraints of psychological research.
Question: A fellow psychology student argues that because non-experimental research cannot provide strong evidence that changes in an independent variable cause differences in a dependent variable, it is nonscientific and less important than experimental research. Evaluate this claim based on the goals of science and the practical constraints of psychological research.
Sample answer: The student's claim is incorrect. Non-experimental research is highly scientific and successfully fulfills two major goals of science: to describe characteristics and relationships, and to make predictions. Furthermore, it is extremely important because it is utilized in critical cases where experimental research cannot be carried out due to ethical or practical constraints.
Key points:
- Refute the claim that non-experimental research is nonscientific.
- State that it fulfills the scientific goals of describing and predicting.
- Emphasize its extreme importance and necessity when experimental research cannot be carried out.
Rubric: The response must evaluate the peer's claim as false or incorrect. It should justify this by stating that non-experimental research is scientific and achieves the goals of describing and predicting. It must also point out that non-experimental methods are extremely important when manipulating variables is impossible.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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