Question

what distinguishes a correlational study from an experiment? a correlational study has a large n; an experiment does not. an experiment has an independent variable; a correlational study does not a correlational study examines behavior; an experiment does not. an experiment has a hypothesis, a correlational study does not.

Explanation:

• Correlational studies can have small or large sample sizes, just like experiments, so the first option is incorrect.
• Both correlational studies and experiments can examine behavior, so the third option is wrong.
• Both types of research use hypotheses to guide their work, so the fourth option is incorrect.
• The key difference is that experiments involve manipulating an independent variable to test cause and effect, while correlational studies only measure and relate existing variables without manipulating an independent variable.

Answer:

B. An experiment has an independent variable; a correlational study does not