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Define a non-experimental factorial design. In your definition, explicitly state the nature of the independent variables involved and the primary limitation regarding the types of conclusions that can be drawn from this design.

Question: Define a non-experimental factorial design. In your definition, explicitly state the nature of the independent variables involved and the primary limitation regarding the types of conclusions that can be drawn from this design.

Sample answer: A non-experimental factorial design is a study structure that includes multiple independent variables where all of the variables are merely measured rather than actively manipulated. Because the variables are pre-existing and solely measured, the study is correlational. The primary limitation is that researchers cannot use this design to establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships.

Key points:

  • The design includes multiple independent variables.
  • All independent variables are measured, not actively manipulated.
  • The design is correlational in nature.
  • Cannot be used to establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships.

Rubric: Full credit is awarded if the student correctly identifies that multiple independent variables are measured rather than manipulated, notes the correlational nature of the study, and explicitly states that definitive cause-and-effect relationships cannot be established.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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