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Not all research in psychology uses the experimental method. Many important questions cannot be answered through experiments — either because the variables cannot be manipulated, because the behaviour of interest occurs in natural settings, or because ethical constraints prevent experimental manipulation. Non-experimental methods include observations, self-report methods (questionnaires and interviews), correlations, and case studies. Each has distinctive strengths and limitations that psychologists must weigh when choosing a research design.
Key Definition: Non-experimental methods are research approaches that do not involve the direct manipulation of an independent variable. They are used to describe, measure, and explore relationships between variables without establishing causation.
Observational research involves watching and recording behaviour as it occurs, either in natural or controlled settings.
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