Sophia wants to investigate whether there is a link between violent video gaming and aggression. She recruits 100 participants from the broader community. She then asks participants to report the number of hours they spend playing video games as well as the frequency at which they engage in aggressive behaviour. She then tests for a relationship between these variables. What type of research design is this?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

In this scenario, the researcher is observing two variables for a group of participants and examining whether they move together or show a relationship, without manipulating any variable or assigning participants to different conditions. This points toward a correlational approach.
Option 1: Experiment. This would require the researcher to manipulate an independent variable (e.g., assigning some participants to play violent games and others to non-violent games) and to randomize participants to groups, then observe effects on a dependent variable. Since Sophia does not manipulate any variable or assign participants to different conditions, this option does not fit.
Option 2: Quasi-experiment. A quasi-experimental design also involves manipulation of an independent variable but lacks random assignment to groups. In this case, there is no evident manipulation of a variable, so a quasi-experimental framework is not appropriate.
Option 3: Correlational. The core feature here is the examination of the relationship between two measured variables—hours spent playing video games and frequency of aggressive behavior—without any experimental manipulation. This aligns with a correlational design, which assesses whether increases in one variable are associated with increases (or decreases) in another.
Option 4: Case study. A case study typically involves an in-depth, detailed examination of a single person, group, or event, often with extensive qualitative data. The description specifies 100 participants and quantitative reports of hours and aggression, which does not fit the characteristic depth and single-subject focus of a case study.
In summary, the described study design matches a correlational approach because it involves measuring two variables and testing for their relationship without introducing any experimental manipulation or random assignment.

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Which of the following is the best example of a correlational research study?

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

What type of study does NOT help to disentangle potentially co-occurring factors influencing prenatal development – including factors such as malnutrition, poverty, deprivation, stress, and genetic factors?

A researcher conducts a study where he wants to know if heat makes people angrier. To test this, he observes people on the quad to look at how angry they seem to be in the spring vs. in the winter. What kind of study is this?

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler