A researcher would like to examine the relationship between self-esteem and academic performance for high-school students. This researcher could use a correlational study or a(n) ____.
A) differential study comparing academic performance scores for a group of high self-esteem students and a group of low self-esteem students
B) experimental study comparing academic performance scores for a group of high self-esteem students and a group of low self-esteem students
C) descriptive study examining self-esteem for a group of students who are in the top 25% of their high school class
D) case study of a student with extremely low self-esteem but outstanding academic performance

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A differential study would allow the researcher to compare the academic performance scores of two groups with different levels of self-esteem, providing insight into the relationship between the two variables. Correlational studies only examine the strength and direction of the relationship between variables, while experimental studies manipulate variables to determine cause-and-effect relationships. Descriptive studies only describe characteristics of a group and case studies examine a single individual, neither of which would allow for a comparison of academic performance based on self-esteem levels.

A Researcher Would Like to Examine the Relationship Between Self-Esteem