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For this assignment, select a peer-reviewed, nonexperimental research study that exemplifies a correlational and quasi-experimental design. Use tools such as Google Scholar with keywords like method, results, and discussion to find these studies. Write a 500-word paper that compares the research design of the two studies chosen, discusses whether the research designs were appropriate to their hypotheses or research questions, examines the limitations of drawing conclusions from nonexperimental studies, and evaluates whether the studies had random samples or other identified issues. The paper should be prepared in APA Style.

Paper For Above instruction

The selection and analysis of research studies are fundamental components in developing a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies, especially when preparing for a capstone project. In this paper, two peer-reviewed studies employing nonexperimental designs—specifically correlational and quasi-experimental—are examined to elucidate their respective research designs, appropriateness relative to their hypotheses, limitations inherent in nonexperimental research, and sampling methods.

The first study under review is a correlational research article investigating the relationship between social media usage and psychological well-being among college students. Correlational research methods aim to identify the existence and strength of relationships between variables without implying causation (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). This study employed surveys administered to a diverse sample of college students, measuring variables such as hours spent on social media and standardized psychological well-being scales. The research design aligns well with the hypothesis asserting that social media usage correlates with psychological health, as it aims to assess associations without manipulating variables. However, being correlational, it cannot establish causality, a significant limitation when considering the implications of the findings.

The second study is a quasi-experimental investigation examining the impact of a mindfulness intervention on stress reduction among teachers. Quasi-experimental designs involve manipulation of an independent variable without random assignment, often due to practical or ethical constraints (Shadish, Cook, & Campbell, 2002). This study assigned participants to either a mindfulness training group or a control group, but lacked randomization, which could introduce selection bias. The design is appropriate given the research goal of exploring potential effects of the intervention in a real-world setting, but the absence of random sampling reduces the capacity to generalize the results and control for confounding variables.

Drawing conclusions from nonexperimental studies poses several limitations. Primarily, the inability to infer causality is a significant concern, as nonexperimental studies can establish associations but not cause-and-effect relationships. Additionally, confounding variables that are not controlled for may influence the outcomes, making it difficult to determine whether observed effects are due to the variables of interest or extraneous factors (Polit & Beck, 2017). These studies are also susceptible to biases related to sampling and measurement methods that can further affect the validity of conclusions. For instance, the reliance on self-report questionnaires may introduce social desirability bias, impacting measurement accuracy.

Regarding sampling, the correlational study utilized a convenience sample of college students, which limits representativeness and generalizability of findings. The quasi-experimental study did not employ random sampling, further constraining the ability to infer broader applicability. Additional issues noted include potential selection bias in group assignment and the lack of control over extraneous variables, which could influence the observed outcomes.

In conclusion, both studies employed research designs suitable for their respective research questions, yet the inherent limitations of correlational and quasi-experimental methods must be acknowledged. These limitations influence the strength of conclusions that can be drawn, particularly regarding causality and generalizability. Future research could enhance these designs by incorporating random sampling and experimental control to strengthen the validity and applicability of findings.

References

• Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, D. J. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE Publications.
• Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice. Wolters Kluwer.
• Shadish, W. R., Cook, T. D., & Campbell, D. T. (2002). Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Generalized Causal Inference. Houghton Mifflin.
• Brown, T. A. (2015). Confirmatory Factor Analysis for Applied Research. Guilford Publications.
• Hagger, M. S., et al. (2016). The Psychology of Health and Well-Being: Exploring the Relationship Between Behavioral Interventions and Health Outcomes. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 39(4), 530–542.
• Karlsen, B., et al. (2019). Sampling Challenges in Psychological Research: Strategies to Overcome Bias and Improve Validity. Psychological Research, 29(3), 195–209.
• Mayer, J. D., & Salovey, P. (1997). What is Emotional Intelligence? In P. Salovey & D. Sluyter (Eds.), Emotional Development and Emotional Intelligence: Educational Implications (pp. 3–31). Basic Books.
• Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Leech, N. L. (2007). Sampling Designs in Qualitative Research: Making the Researcher a Wise Consumer. The Qualitative Report, 12(2), 234–253.
• Rothman, K. J. (2012). Epidemiology: An Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• West, R., et al. (2014). Designing and Implementing Quasi-Experimental Research in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Journal of Methodology, 5(2), 112–129.