A forensic psychologist conducts a study of fear of crime and crime rates in a small city.His hypothesis is that fear of crime is high in areas with moderate crime rates and low in areas with low and high crime rates.Using a map of housing to create a sampling frame he mails a questionnaire to a random sample of 100 residents in six areas: two with moderate crime rates, two with low crime rates and two with high crime rates.Of the 600 questionnaires 350 are returned (180 in the low-crime areas, 100 in the moderate-crime areas, and 70 in the high-crime areas).Which of the following statements is true?
A)The study uses a split-ballot design.
B)The study is a quasi-experiment as it compares three different groups.
C)The study is an experiment because many crimes are random attacks.
D)The different return rates are worth considering closely.
E)None of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The different return rates should be closely considered because they may suggest differences in willingness to participate in the study based on factors such as fear of crime or demographic characteristics. This could potentially affect the generalizability of the study's findings. The study is not a split-ballot design because there is no indication that participants were randomly assigned to different versions of the questionnaire. It is not a quasi-experiment because the researcher did not manipulate any independent variables, but rather collected data on pre-existing conditions (crime rates and fear of crime). The statement about random attacks is unrelated to the design of the study.

A Forensic Psychologist Conducts a Study of Fear of Crime