Which of the following is a guideline for establishing causality in psychological research?

• A. Analyze correlations between variables without experimental manipulation
• B. Observe natural behavior without any intervention
• C. Collect only self-report data from participants
• D. Manipulate the independent variable while controlling for confounding variables

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that establishing causality in psychological research requires demonstrating that changes in one variable cause changes in another, not just that they are related.
2. Recognize that correlation alone (analyzing relationships between variables without manipulation) does not establish causality because it cannot rule out other explanations or confounding variables.
3. Identify that observing natural behavior without intervention or collecting only self-report data are descriptive or correlational methods, which are insufficient for causal claims.
4. Learn that the key guideline for establishing causality is to manipulate the independent variable (the presumed cause) while controlling for confounding variables to isolate its effect on the dependent variable (the outcome).
5. Conclude that experimental manipulation with control over confounds allows researchers to infer causal relationships by demonstrating that changes in the independent variable produce changes in the dependent variable.