Which study illustrates a nonexperimental study?
A)a study comparing self-esteem scores for children with a learning disability versusscores for children without a learning disability
B)a study comparing depression scores for one group that is assigned to receive a therapy versus another group that is assigned not to receive a therapy
C)a study comparing performance in a room where the walls have been painted yellow versus performance in a room painted blue
D)a study comparing cognitive functioning scores for one group of Alzheimer's patients who are assigned to receive memory therapy versus another group that is assigned not to receive therapy

Question

Which study illustrates a nonexperimental study?
A)​a study comparing self-esteem scores for children with a learning disability versusscores for children without a learning disability
B)​a study comparing depression scores for one group that is assigned to receive a therapy versus another group that is assigned not to receive a therapy
C)a study comparing performance in a room where the walls have been painted yellow versus performance in a room painted blue
D)​a study comparing cognitive functioning scores for one group of Alzheimer's patients who are assigned to receive memory therapy versus another group that is assigned not to receive therapy

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A nonexperimental study is one in which the researcher does not manipulate the independent variable. In this case, the study comparing self-esteem scores for children with a learning disability versus scores for children without a learning disability is not manipulating any variables, making it a nonexperimental study. Choices B, C, and D involve some form of manipulation of variables or random assignment to groups, making them experimental studies.

Which Study Illustrates a Nonexperimental Study