7.3 Non-Experimental Methods

• Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in natural environments without intervention.
• The four main types of non-experimental methods are correlational studies, naturalistic observation, case studies, and surveys.
• Survey methods involve gathering data through questionnaires or interviews to collect information about opinions, beliefs, and behaviors.
• A key advantage of questionnaires is that they allow researchers to collect data from a large sample
• Correlational studies can establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables.

  False
• The correlation coefficient ranges from -1 to +1.
• Match the non-experimental method with its example:

  Correlational studies ↔️ Relationship between study hours and test scores

  Naturalistic observation ↔️ Observing student interactions in the cafeteria

  Case studies ↔️ Analyzing the development of a student with autism

  Surveys ↔️ Gathering data on stress levels during exams
• Controlled observation takes place in a structured environment.


  True
• Interviews are direct verbal conversations between the researcher and the participant
• In correlational studies, a positive direction means variables increase or decrease together
• What is a key limitation of correlational studies?

  Cannot determine causation
• Arrange the non-experimental methods by their primary focus:

  1️⃣ Correlational studies: Examining relationships between variables

  2️⃣ Naturalistic observation: Observing behavior in natural settings

  3️⃣ Case studies: In-depth investigation of individuals

  4️⃣ Surveys: Collecting data through questionnaires or interviews
• Non-experimental methods manipulate the independent variable directly.

  False
• What do correlational studies examine?

  Relationships between variables
• What data collection method is used in surveys?

  Questionnaires or interviews
• In naturalistic observation, researchers record behavior in natural environments
• Naturalistic observation can establish cause-and-effect relationships.

  False
• Surveys can collect standardized data from a broad range of participants.


  True
• What is a common misconception about correlational studies?

  Correlation implies causation
• What is a key feature of case studies?

  In-depth investigation of a single case
• What is a key feature of correlational studies?

  Examine relationships between variables
• Correlation implies causation in correlational studies

  False
• Researchers directly manipulate variables in naturalistic observation

  False
• Case studies have high generalizability

  False
• Surveys are cost-effective for data collection

  True
• Correlational studies are useful for identifying relationships
• Case studies are prone to researcher bias
• Match the non-experimental method with a real-life application:

  1️⃣ Correlational studies

  2️⃣ Investigating the relationship between sleep and academic performance

  3️⃣ Naturalistic observation

  4️⃣ Observing children's interactions in a playground

  5️⃣ Case studies

  6️⃣ Analyzing the psychological development of a child with autism

  7️⃣ Surveys

  8️⃣ Gathering information on stress levels of employees
• Non-experimental methods can provide insights into real-world phenomena

  True
• Observer bias occurs when researchers selectively observe certain behaviors

  True
• Non-experimental methods are research approaches that do not manipulate the independent variable.
• Case studies are in-depth investigations of a single person, group, or event.


  True
• Arrange the advantages and disadvantages of naturalistic observation in a comparative order:

  1️⃣ High ecological validity

  2️⃣ Lack of control

  3️⃣ Minimal researcher influence

  4️⃣ Difficulty in replication

  5️⃣ Observe rare behaviors

  6️⃣ Potential observer bias
• Survey methods are non-experimental research tools that involve gathering data through questionnaires or interviews
• Interviews provide more in-depth data compared to questionnaires.


  True
• In correlational studies, a positive relationship indicates that variables increase or decrease together
• A positive correlation between study hours and test scores proves that studying leads to higher scores.

  False
• Correlational studies examine the relationship between variables without establishing causation
• Questionnaires are cost-effective and allow for anonymous data collection, but cannot clarify answers
• Surveys allow researchers to gather standardized data from a broad range of participants.


  True