Dr. Conrad wants to make cause-and-effect statements about the factors that lead children to help others.Which of the following research methods should Dr. Conrad use? The survey method The discontinuous method Naturalistic observation Experimental research A case study

**Experimental research** is the best method for Dr. Conrad to use if he wants to make cause-and-effect statements. Here's why:<br /><br />* **Control:** Experimental research allows researchers to manipulate one or more variables (independent variables) while holding other factors constant. This control helps determine if changes in the independent variable *cause* changes in the outcome (dependent variable), which in this case is helping behavior. Dr. Conrad could manipulate factors like the presence of a role model or the type of reward offered for helping.<br /><br />* **Random Assignment:** Participants are randomly assigned to different experimental conditions (e.g., a group that sees a helping role model vs. a group that doesn't). This helps ensure that any differences observed between groups are due to the manipulated variable and not pre-existing differences between the participants.<br /><br />* **Replicability:** Experimental research is designed to be replicable. Other researchers can repeat the study to see if they get similar results, which strengthens the validity of the findings.<br /><br />Why the other options aren't as suitable:<br /><br />* **Survey method:** Surveys can reveal correlations between variables (e.g., children who report having helpful parents also report helping others more often), but correlation doesn't equal causation. A third, unmeasured variable could be influencing both.<br /><br />* **Discontinuous method (this isn't a standard research method term):** This seems like a distractor. There isn't a widely recognized research method called the "discontinuous method."<br /><br />* **Naturalistic observation:** Observing children in their natural environment can provide valuable insights into helping behavior, but it doesn't allow for the manipulation of variables needed to establish cause and effect.<br /><br />* **Case study:** A case study involves in-depth examination of a single individual or small group. While helpful for understanding complex phenomena, case studies lack the generalizability of experimental research. The findings may not apply to a wider population of children.<br />