You are about to start a research project with the goal of understanding how one variable causes another variable; poverty causes HIV infection, for example. A starting point would be to demonstrate that the two variables are related. You are only hypothesising that when poverty is high, HIV infection rates are also high. You could start your project with a ________ study of these two variables.
A) coincidental
B) correlational
C) experimental
D) observational

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A correlational study would be the best choice as it allows you to examine the relationship between two variables without manipulating any of them. This type of study would allow you to determine if there is a relationship between poverty and HIV infection rates without causality being inferred.

You Are About to Start a Research Project with the Goal