A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What is a key advantage of a quasi-experiment highlighted by Casey et al (2011)?

1. It allows random assignment of participants

2. It permits studying behaviors that cannot be manipulated

3. It is less time-consuming than a longitudinal study

4. It requires no ethical approval from an institutional review board

The correct answer is: It permits studying behaviors that cannot be manipulated

The key advantage of a quasi-experiment highlighted by Casey et al. (2011) lies in its ability to permit the study of behaviors that cannot be manipulated. In quasi-experimental designs, researchers often use pre-existing groups rather than random assignment, which is characteristic of true experiments. This means they can explore natural variations in behavior that occur in real-world settings, particularly when it would be unethical or impractical to manipulate certain variables directly. For example, investigating differences in behavior linked to age, gender, or specific life experiences can provide valuable insights that are not possible through controlled experiments. The effectiveness of this approach is especially notable in psychological research, where ethical guidelines prevent certain manipulations, such as those involving harmful stimuli or situations. Thus, using a quasi-experimental design is particularly advantageous for studying complex human behaviors and psychological phenomena in a way that respects ethical boundaries while still offering valid findings.