All of us have a tendency to categorize people into stereotypic groups. If you look around at the students on campus, you will see science geeks, artsy freaks, jocks, wallflowers, cheerleaders, and party animals, just to mention a few. Part of stereotyping is to assume that all the individuals in a particular category share some common characteristics that make them different from the rest of us. These assumed differences can be the basis for a research study.

a. Identify a stereotype that describes one group of college students and list one characteristic that presumably makes them different from other students.

b. Describe a research study that could be used to determine whether the stereotype is accurate. That is, describe a research study that would determine whether the characteristic you identified really is different for the stereotypic group.

c. How would you classify your research study? Is it experimental, quasiexperimental, or nonexperimental? Be as specific as possible.