Often, Researchers Are Interested in Variables That Cannot Be Experimentally

Essay

Often, researchers are interested in variables that cannot be experimentally manipulated (e.g., gender differences, personality differences), and how these variables influence a criterion (e.g., voting behavior, resistance to persuasion). Although we cannot determine causality between such variables, there are some benefits to nonexperimental designs. What is the major advantage to using nonexperimental designs that cannot be obtained from experimental studies where all levels of the independent variables are manipulated? In other words, what information about the relationship between predictor and criterion variables can we obtain in nonexperimental designs but not necessarily in experimental designs? Be sure to explain why this is so.