Explain the Difference Between Correlational Research and Experimental Research

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Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Correlational research and experimental research are two different methods used in scientific studies to understand the relationship between variables.

Correlational research involves examining the relationship between two or more variables without any manipulation of those variables. This method can help researchers identify patterns and associations between variables, but it cannot determine causality. In other words, correlational research can show that two variables are related, but it cannot prove that one variable causes changes in the other.

On the other hand, experimental research involves manipulating one or more variables to observe the effect on another variable. This method can determine causality because the researcher can control and manipulate the variables to see if changes in one variable directly cause changes in another. By randomly assigning participants to different conditions and controlling for extraneous variables, experimental research can establish a cause-and-effect relationship between variables.

In summary, experimental research can determine causality because it involves manipulating variables to observe their effects, while correlational research cannot determine causality because it only shows relationships between variables without manipulation.

Explain the Difference Between Correlational Research and Experimental Research

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