Non-experimental research typically lacks manipulation of the independent variable and random assignment. This means it often relies on which of the following characteristics?

• A. Absence of manipulation or random assignment
• B. Random assignment of participants
• C. Double-blind procedures
• D. Large sample sizes

Answer: (A)

Non-experimental research is defined by observing variables as they occur without deliberately changing the environment or assigning participants to different groups. Because there’s no manipulation of the independent variable and no random assignment, these studies describe or examine relationships rather than establish cause-and-effect. You might compare existing groups, describe a phenomenon, or look for associations using natural variation and careful measurement, but you can’t rely on randomization to balance confounding factors or on manipulation to demonstrate causality. Random assignment and blinding are features of experimental designs used to control bias and test causal hypotheses, so they aren’t defining characteristics of non-experimental work. Large sample sizes can appear in any design and don’t define the approach on their own.