In an experiment, a researcher manipulates people's mood to determine whether changes in mood cause changes in memory performance. However, the researcher is not sure that the manipulation is really causing people's mood to change. In this case, what should the researcher do?
A) Control mood by holding it constant.
B) Control mood by matching it across treatment conditions.
C) Add a no-treatment control group in which mood is not manipulated.
D) Add a manipulation check by measuring mood.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adding a manipulation check by measuring mood would help the researcher confirm whether the manipulation is really causing changes in people's mood. This would allow the researcher to determine whether any observed changes in memory performance can be attributed to changes in mood or to some other factor. Controlling or matching mood across treatment conditions, or adding a no-treatment control group, would not address the issue of whether the manipulation is truly effective in changing mood.

In an Experiment, a Researcher Manipulates People's Mood to Determine