Question

Cause-and-effect inferences can be made in an experimental design because:

a. the researcher controls the dependent variable throughout the experiment.
b. the researcher manipulates both the independent and dependent variables.
c. participants sort themselves into experimental conditions.
d. the researcher directly controls or manipulates changes in the independent variable.

Answer 1

Cause-and-effect inferences in an experimental design are possible because the researcher manipulates the independent variable and measures its effect on the dependent variable, while controlling other factors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cause-and-effect inferences can be made in an experimental design because the researcher directly controls or manipulates changes in the independent variable. In a well-designed experiment, the independent variable is the only significant difference between the experimental and control groups.

The effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is what the researcher measures to assess the impact of their manipulation.

To isolate the independent variable's effect, all other potential variables are controlled or held constant, ensuring that any observed changes in the dependent variable can be attributed to the experimental manipulation. This level of control enables the researcher to make cause-and-effect inferences about the relationship between the variables.