natural experiment

the study of a naturally occurring situation as it unfolds in the real world. The researcher does not exert any influence over the situation but rather simply observes individuals and circumstances, comparing the current condition to some other condition. For example, an investigator might evaluate the influence of a new community policing program by observing neighborhood activities after it has been implemented and comparing the outcome to that for neighborhoods in which the policy has not been implemented. Since such real-life events cannot be manipulated or prearranged, natural experiments are quasi-experimental designs rather than true experiments. Also called naturalistic design; naturalistic research.

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Psychology term of the day

April 25th 2024

bed-sharing

n. a type of cosleeping in which an infant or young child sleeps with one or both parents in the same bed. Bed-sharing with infants is discouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission because of the associated safety hazards and increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Also called family bed. Compare cobedding.