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What specific component should the research team include in their pilot test, and how does this component help ensure the viability of the full experiment?

Case context: A research team is planning a large-scale experiment to study the effects of frustration on problem-solving skills. They intend to manipulate frustration indirectly by assigning participants an impossible task. Before recruiting their target sample of 300 participants, they run a pilot test with 15 individuals.

Question: What specific component should the research team include in their pilot test, and how does this component help ensure the viability of the full experiment?

Sample answer: The research team should include a manipulation check in their pilot test to evaluate whether the impossible task actually induces frustration. This component ensures the viability of the full experiment by verifying that the independent variable is successfully altered. If the manipulation check shows the task is ineffective, they can fix the weak manipulation and avoid wasting resources on a flawed procedure.

Key points:

  • Include a manipulation check during the pilot test.
  • Verify that the independent variable (frustration) is successfully altered.
  • Identify and fix the weak manipulation if the task is ineffective.
  • Avoid the waste of resources on a flawed procedure.

Rubric: A correct response must identify the need for a manipulation check and explain how it verifies the independent variable manipulation to prevent resource waste.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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