In the scenario where parents at Central Elementary School responded to a multiple-choice questionnaire regarding the most important activity they do with their child, this is an example of a __________.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A structured interview involves asking individuals a predetermined set of questions in a set order. In this scenario, parents at Central Elementary School were given a multiple-choice questionnaire, which indicates that the questions were predetermined and likely asked in a specific order. This method allows for standardized data collection and comparison across participants. Choice B, clinical interview, involves in-depth questioning aimed at understanding an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to psychological issues, which is not the case here. Choice C, naturalistic observation, involves observing individuals in their natural environment without interference, which is not applicable to a questionnaire scenario. Choice D, structured observation, involves systematically observing behavior in predefined ways, not relevant to the given scenario of questionnaire responses.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In a correlational design, researchers gather information on individuals without altering their experiences. Correlational studies examine the relationship between two or more variables without any manipulation or control by the researchers. The researchers simply observe and measure the variables of interest without intervening in any way. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they describe aspects related to experimental designs rather than correlational designs. In an experimental design, researchers manipulate variables, assign participants to different treatment conditions, and control changes in the independent variable, which is not the case in correlational studies.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Dr. Anderson should use an experimental design to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between domestic violence and anger in children. In an experimental design, the researcher manipulates the independent variable (in this case, exposure to domestic violence) to observe its effect on the dependent variable (anger in children). This design allows for the establishment of a cause-and-effect relationship by controlling for other variables that may influence the outcomes. Observational design (Choice B) involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference, correlational design (Choice C) examines the relationship between variables without manipulating them, and structured design (Choice A) typically refers to a study with predetermined procedures and data collection methods, which may not be suitable for establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: By using random assignment of participants to treatment conditions, investigators increase the chances that participants' characteristics will be equally distributed across treatment groups. Random assignment helps reduce the likelihood of bias in the selection process and ensures that any differences between groups are due to the treatment and not pre-existing group differences. Sequential, systematic, and correlational assignment methods do not provide the same level of assurance in distributing participants' characteristics equally across treatment groups.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: longitudinal. In a longitudinal design, participants are followed and studied over an extended period, allowing researchers to observe changes and continuity in development as individuals age. This design is crucial for understanding how individuals grow and change over time. Cross-sectional studies (Choice A) involve comparing different groups at the same time point, while experimental studies (Choice B) involve manipulating variables to observe their effects. Correlational studies (Choice D) examine relationships between variables but do not involve studying participants over time.