Compare and contrast the characteristics of experimental and nonexperimental quantitative research.

Discuss and Critique a Quantitative Research Study [WLOs: 3, 4, 5] [CLOs: 2, 4]

Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, read the instructor guidance, the quantitative section of Chapter 7 and all of Chapter 8 in the Creswell and Creswell text, the chapter by Meltzoff and Cooper titled Chapter 6: Research Designs and Threats to Internal Validity Links to an external site., and the article by Henrich et al. titled Most People Are Not WEIRD Links to an external site.. Also review Standard 8 of the APA Ethical Principles for Psychologists and Code of Conduct Links to an external site.from last week.

Your instructor will post an announcement with the reference for the quantitative research study you will discuss and critique in this discussion. The study will be found in the UAGC Library. Refer to the Library resource How Do I Find An Article When I Have A Citation? Links to an external site.if you need help finding the article.

In your initial post, consider the following:

• Compare and contrast the characteristics of experimental and nonexperimental quantitative research.
• State the research question the researchers were trying to answer in the study.
• Identify the type of quantitative research design that was used in the assigned study.
• Evaluate whether the researchers’ conclusion follows logically from the evidence presented.
• Identify threats to internal and external validity that might apply to how this study was conducted.
• Determine whether validity threats were addressed by the researchers. If so, describe how this was done.
• Summarize ethical considerations that were mentioned in the research report.
• Assess what ethical considerations apply to the design of the study but that were not mentioned by the researchers.
• Explain how you might do a study on this topic differently and why your approach would be more appropriate than the one used by the researchers.
• Evaluate whether a quantitative approach would be useful for the research topic you chose in Week 1.
• Describe the actions you would take to ensure that a quantitative study on your topic would be ethical.
• Support your evaluation of the study with citations and references of the required readings and other peer-reviewed sources. Refer to the Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources Links to an external site.tip sheet to help determine which sources are appropriate.

Sample Solution

Quantitative research is a type of research that involves collecting and analyzing numerical data. It is often used to test hypotheses and answer research questions that involve examining relationships between variables. There are two main types of quantitative research: experimental and nonexperimental.

Experimental research involves manipulating an independent variable to observe the effect on a dependent variable. It is used to establish causality between variables, as the researcher can be confident that the manipulation of the independent variable caused any observed changes in the dependent variable. Experimental research is characterized by the use of control groups, random assignment of participants, and manipulation of variables.

Nonexperimental research, on the other hand, does not involve manipulating variables and cannot establish causality. It is used to describe relationships between variables or to test hypotheses about relationships that already exist. Nonexperimental research is characterized by the use of observational or correlational methods.

In the assigned study, the researchers were trying to answer the research question of whether there is a relationship between exposure to a specific type of media content and aggressive behavior in children. The researchers Order a customized and more comprehensive answer here

The researchers’ conclusion that exposure to media content is related to aggressive behavior follows logically from the evidence presented in the study. The researchers manipulated the exposure to media content Order a customized and more comprehensive answer here

There are several threats to internal validity that might apply to this study, including maturation, testing, and history. Maturation refers to changes in the participants that occur over time and could affect the results of the study. Testing refers to the possibility that the act of being tested Order a customized and more comprehensive answer here