Of the following, which likely describes a causal-comparative study?
A) The hygiene procedures followed during a day in a high school alternative schooling environment
B) The differences between mathematics learning outcomes in traditional and alternative schooling
C) The relationship between alternative schooling and later youth criminal offenses in urban youth offenders
D) The qualifications or credentials of teachers in a typical alternative school located in the southwest United States

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A causal-comparative study typically seeks to identify cause-and-effect relationships between variables, where the independent variable cannot be manipulated or controlled. Option B relates to the comparison between traditional and alternative schooling, which is a typical characteristic of causal-comparative studies. Option A describes an observational study that examines the hygiene procedures followed in a high school alternative schooling environment. Option C deals with the relationship between alternative schooling and later youth criminal offenses, which is more likely to be a correlational study. Option D examines the qualifications or credentials of teachers, which may involve a descriptive or cross-sectional study design.

Of the Following, Which Likely Describes a Causal-Comparative Study