Worksheet on Experimental versus Non-experimental Methods

Instructions: Consider each statement listed below snd decide whether or not it can be studied
scientifically. If you believe it is impossible to obtain any scientific evidence concerning the
statement encircle the “?”. If you think a problem can be studied scientifically, however, indicate
which method should be employed by encircling either “E” (experimental) or “N” (non-
experimental). Note that some problems can be studied both experimentally and non-
experimentally. When such is the case, encircle “E” since the experimental method is preferred
over the non-experimental one, given that the former allows one to infer causation. Also, if you
encircled “E,” indicate which is the independent variable (IV) and which one is the dependent
variable (DV) on top of the words/concepts.

? N E 1. Men (IV) are physically stronger than women (DV).

? N E 2. Consciousness survives death.
? N E 3. Speed reading courses (IV) improve academic achievement (DV).
? N E 4. Drinking beer (IV) reduces reasoning ability (DV).
? N E 5. People from Manila spend more money than those from the Ilocos region.
? N E 6. Human beings compared with animals are the only ones that think in images.
? N E 7. Suicide rates increase during times of economic depression.
? N E 8. The number of crimes committed increases during a full moon.
? N E 9. Eating kangkong (IV) improves one’s night vision (DV).
? N E. 10. Cars owned by professors are less expensive than those driven by students.