Final answer:
The study in 'It’s In the Bag, the study of hypocrisy and condom use,' is best described as an experiment. This fits because the study involves manipulating variables to measure their effect, allowing to ascertain cause-and-effect relationships, unlike naturalistic observation, cross-sectional, or survey methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study mentioned in 'It’s In the Bag, the study of hypocrisy and condom use,' would be best described as (b) an experiment. Aspects of the study resemble a controlled experiment, where one or more variables are manipulated to see their subsequent effect on other variables. This description fits best when a study involves comparing outcomes based on different conditions.
An experiment in psychology and health studies often involves the manipulation of independent variables to measure their impact on dependent variables. This allows researchers to ascertain cause-and-effect relationships. Other research strategies like a cross-sectional study, a naturalistic observation, or a survey don't provide this level of control over the environment and variables. Therefore, they are less likely to draw definite conclusions about causality.
Due to its controlled setup, the described study does not fit the characteristics of naturalistic observation. Naturalistic observation involves studying behavior in its natural environment with minimal to no manipulation or control from the researcher. Cross-sectional and survey methods, in contrast, generally involve data collection at a single point in time, either through questionnaires, interviews, or observation. The scenario in 'It’s In the Bag' involves conscious manipulation, making it best described as an experiment.
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