PSCI lecture 2
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PSCI lecture 2

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Questions and Answers

What does causation imply in statistical terms?

  • A variation in one variable causes a variation in another variable. (correct)
  • There is no relationship between the two variables.
  • Variable interactions are only coincidental.
  • One variable remains constant while another changes.

    • Which of the following must occur for causation to be established?

  • The variables can change independently.
  • Both variables should be random.
  • There should be no covariance between the variables.
  • One variable must follow the other in time. (correct)

    • What is a causal mechanism?

  • A direct measurement of variable interactions.
  • The pathways through which an outcome occurs. (correct)
  • The absence of influence between phenomena.
  • A random occurrence that connects two variables.

    • Which of the following describes covariance?

    <p>The identification of a patterned relationship between phenomena.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of causation, what does non-spurious covariance mean?

    <p>The observed relationship is not due to an external variable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is temporality crucial in establishing causation?

    <p>It ensures one event is proven to precede the other.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example effectively illustrates a causal pathway?

    <p>Political opinions influence voting behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which option best describes covariance in research?

    <p>It indicates that two variables may change together.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does higher levels of trade relate to transnational integration?

    <p>It is associated with higher levels of integration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of globalization can occur without global regulations?

    <p>Capital and investment movements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which scenario might migration of people increase without affecting global migration trends?

    <p>Within specific regions like the EU.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first element that must be communicated in a conceptual definition?

    <p>The variation within a measurable characteristic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might knowledge dissemination not be considered global?

    <p>It is restricted to certain regions or groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'unit of analysis' refer to in a conceptual definition?

    <p>The entity to which the concept applies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor can limit the global scope of knowledge flow?

    <p>Access limitations based on regions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic does not necessarily imply global integration?

    <p>Knowledge dissemination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In defining globalization, what characteristic is being measured according to the provided definition?

    <p>The levels of trade and transactions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which level of analysis is focused on studying individual political behavior?

    <p>The Individual Level of Analysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a potential limitation to migration trends?

    <p>Regional agreements between countries</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What misconception might arise regarding capital and investment movements?

    <p>They require extensive regulation to occur.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the identification of countries in the conceptual definition indicate?

    <p>The subjects to which the concept applies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a component of a conceptual definition according to the guideline provided?

    <p>Examples of the characteristics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When defining a concept, how is variation characterized?

    <p>As the extent to which it can exist in varying levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of the Second Level of Analysis?

    <p>Collective behavior of groups or societies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main characteristic of a spurious relationship?

    <p>It disappears when accounting for a confounding variable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which symbol represents confounding variables in the provided content?

    <p>Z</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, how can concepts be defined?

    <p>As mental constructs that help organize and understand phenomena.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a political party according to Anthony Downs?

    <p>A coalition aiming to control the government through legal means.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example of a concept illustrates increased complexity?

    <p>Democratization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Edmund Burke emphasize about political parties?

    <p>They aim to promote the national interest based on agreed principles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do confounding variables play in analyzing relationships between two other variables?

    <p>They obscure or influence the observed relationship.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of concepts in political analysis?

    <p>To help think critically and make informed political choices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a concept measured at the aggregate level of analysis?

    <p>Country-wide trade statistics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'operational definition' refer to?

    <p>A specific way to measure a concept empirically</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential risk when applying aggregate level findings to individual entities?

    <p>Ecological fallacy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines how the shopping experience at Sephora is operationally defined?

    <p>Overall satisfaction of customers during their visit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of an instrument in research measurement?

    <p>To measure specific concepts or variables systematically</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When defining concepts operationally, what is crucial to minimize?

    <p>Measurement errors in the data collected</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what level of data does the shopping experience instrument operate?

    <p>Ordinal level data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens if instruments measure unintended characteristics?

    <p>The accuracy of the data can be compromised</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Causation

    • Causation is the idea that one thing causes another thing to happen
    • In statistics, causation means variation in one variable causes variation in another variable
    • To determine causation, consider the following:
      • Covariance of Phenomena
      • Temporality
      • Causal Mechanisms/Pathways
      • Non-Spurious Covariance

    Covariance and Temporality and Causal Pathways

    • Covariance is the identification of a patterned relationship between phenomena
      • For causation to occur, there must be some kind of pattern in how the two variables change together
    • Temporality is the point in time at which the phenomena you are studying occur
      • For causation to occur, the cause must precede the effect in time
    • Causal Mechanisms are the pathways through which an outcome occurs
      • Think of it as the explanatory links between variables
      • Example: Smoking causes cancer - but how?

    Conceptualization and Operationalization

    • Concepts are ideas or mental constructs that help us understand phenomena in the real world
    • Concepts can be simple or complex
      • Example: Political Party

    Example: ‘Political Party’ as a Concept

    • Edmund Burke (1770) defines a political party as a body of men united for promoting national interest based on a particular principle
    • Anthony Downs (1957) defines a political party as a coalition of men seeking to control the government apparatus by legal means

    Globalization as a Concept

    • Globalization has multiple essential characteristics
      • Trade and transactions
      • Capital and Investment Movements
      • Global Institutions and Regulations
      • Migration of People
      • Knowledge Dissemination

    Developing a Concept

    • Develop a conceptual definition
      • The variation within a measurable characteristic
      • The subjects or groups to which the concept applies (unit of analysis)
      • How the characteristic is to be measured
    • Unit of Analysis can be individual-level or aggregate-level

    Operationalization

    • Operational definitions are explicit statements of how a concept will be measured empirically
    • Instruments are tools used to measure a specific concept, variable, or phenomenon
      • Example: A survey asking respondents to rate their shopping experience at Sephora on a scale of 1 to 10
    • Measurement Error occurs when instruments measure unintended characteristics
      • This can lead to unreliable data

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    Description

    This quiz explores the concept of causation in statistics, focusing on important elements like covariance, temporality, and causal pathways. Understand how variation in one variable can cause variation in another and learn the criteria necessary to establish true causation. Dive into the mechanisms that link causes and effects with practical examples.

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