A social psychologist finds a relationship between socioeconomic status and relationship satisfaction in married couples. This study most likely involves which research method?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Consider what the study is examining: the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and relationship satisfaction among married couples.

Option 1: observational (also called "frequency"). While observational studies involve observing and recording variables as they occur, they are not specifically defined by looking at relationships between two variables in the way this question emphasizes. The key descriptor in the scenario is the examination of a relationship between two variables, which aligns more directly with correlational methods. This option is not the best fit for the described study.

Option 2: experimental. In an experimental method, the researcher actively manipulates an independent variable to observe effects on a dependent variable, ideally with random assignment and control groups. It would be unethical and impractical to randomly assign individuals to different SES levels, and the scenario does not mention any manipulation or random assignment. Therefore, this option does not describe the given study.

Option 3: correlational. Correlational designs explicitly analyze the association between two variables to determine whether they vary together in a systematic way. The study’s aim to find a relationship between SES and relationship satisfaction fits this method well, especially since SES cannot be randomly assigned, and the researchers are likely measuring existing differences rather than manipulating them. This is the most appropriate characterization of the described study.

In addition, it is worth noting a common caveat: even when a correlation is observed, causation cannot be inferred, and there may be third variables that influence both SES and relationship satisfaction. This nuance further supports the selection of a correlational approach over an experimental one.

Overall, the description aligns with a correlational research design rather than the other two options.

A social psychologist finds a relationship between socioeconomic status and relationship satisfaction in married couples. This study most likely involves which research method?

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