Simister and Cooper decided to find out if there is a relationship between crime and the weather.They obtained data on temperatures and criminal activity in Los Angeles over a four-year period.When they graphed air temperature and the frequency of aggravated assaults, they found that assaults and temperatures rise and fall more or less in parallel.Simister and Cooper conducted a(n)__________ study.
A) naturalistic observation
B) statistical inventory
C) correlational
D) experimental

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A correlational study is appropriate in this scenario because Simister and Cooper are examining the relationship between two variables (temperature and criminal activity) without manipulating either of them. They are simply observing how they are related. An experimental study would involve manipulating one variable (e.g. temperature) and observing the effect on the other variable (e.g. criminal activity). However, this is not the design of the study described. Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in its natural setting without manipulation or control. Statistical inventory is not a recognized research design.

Simister and Cooper Decided to Find Out If There Is