Question

question 20
magali and jean - gabriel have been asked to design a study investigating happiness across the lifespan. they decide their study will involve going to the mall and asking people of a variety of ages if they are happy or unhappy. what is the most serious flaw of this design?

• they have not defined happiness or how it will be measured
• survey data is not as valid as experimental data
• their results will depend on how busy the mall is.
• people will know that they are part of a research study and may decline participation.

Explanation:

To determine the most serious flaw, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: In research, operationalizing variables (defining and measuring them) is crucial. Without defining "happiness" or how to measure it, the study lacks a clear basis for collecting valid data.
• Option 2: Survey data can be valid, and claiming it's inherently less valid than experimental data is incorrect.
• Option 3: Mall busyness is a minor, situational factor, not a fundamental flaw in the study design.
• Option 4: While participation decline is a concern, the lack of operational definition for the key variable (happiness) is a more critical, foundational flaw.

Answer:

A. They have not defined happiness or how it will be measured