RFC1 Chapter 9 Causal-Comparative Research

Questions and Answers

What is Causal Comparative Research?

Research that determines the cause for existing differences in groups. (correct)

Research focused solely on experimental methods.

Research that manipulates variables to find cause-effect relationships.

Research that only uses retrospective data.

What is Retrospective Causal-Comparative Research?

It starts with effects and investigates causes.

What does Prospective Causal-Comparative Research investigate?

It studies causes and investigates their effects.

Causal-Comparative Research establishes cause-effect relationships.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the independent variable in Causal-Comparative Research?

It is not manipulated by the researcher. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of variables investigated in Causal-Comparative Research?

Organismic variables, ability variables, personality variables, family-related variables, and school-related variables. Signup and view all the answers

Causal-Comparative Research can provide insight into potential experimental studies.

True Signup and view all the answers

The basic design of a Causal-Comparative Study involves selecting two groups that differ on a variable of interest and comparing them on a ______.

dependent variable Signup and view all the answers

What are Control Procedures in Causal-Comparative Studies?

Control procedures are methods researchers can use to strengthen their causal-comparative designs. Signup and view all the answers

What is Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) used for?

It adjusts scores on a dependent variable for initial differences on a related variable. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Causal-Comparative Research Overview

Aims to identify causes or reasons for differences in groups or individuals.
Ex post facto design: researchers analyze existing differences without manipulation.

Types of Causal-Comparative Research

Retrospective Causal-Comparative Research:
- Focuses on effects first, then investigates causes.
- Common in education (e.g., comparing stress levels between those in and not in an exercise program).
Prospective Causal-Comparative Research:
- Begins with potential causes and looks into their effects.
- Example: Comparing self-esteem in middle school children based on their prior dance class attendance.

Key Characteristics of Causal-Comparative Research

Does not establish clear cause-effect relationships; rather, it identifies correlations.
Typically involves multiple groups and at least one dependent variable.
Independent variables are pre-existing and not manipulated by the researcher.

Variables in Causal-Comparative Research

Organismic Variables: Age, ethnicity, sex.
Ability Variables: Achievement levels.
Personality Variables: Self-concept.
Family-Related Variables: Socioeconomic status (SES).
School-Related Variables: Type and size of school.

Limitations of Causal-Comparative Research

Limited control over variables by the researcher.
Interpretation of results must be cautious due to inability to establish definite cause-effect chains.

Practical Applications

Useful for scenarios where manipulation of variables is impractical or unethical.
Can enhance decision-making and provide insights for future experimental studies.
Less costly compared to experimental studies.

Conducting a Causal-Comparative Study

Involves selecting two distinct groups based on a variable of interest for comparison.
Critical to define and select comparison groups accurately.
Grouping variables must be operationally defined for clear differentiation.
Comparable groups reduce potential extraneous explanations for findings.

Basic Study Designs

Group Exposure:
- One group experiences an independent variable while the other does not; both measured on a dependent variable.
Dual Group Exposure:
- Two groups receive different independent conditions, followed by measurement on the dependent variable.

Control Procedures for Enhancing Research Validity

Matching:
- Groups can be equated on specific variables to control confounding factors (e.g., pairing high achievers in instructional studies).
Homogeneous Group Comparison:
- Focuses on groups that share similar characteristics regarding extraneous variables for more accurate comparisons.
Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA):
- Adjusts scores on dependent variables based on initial differences in related variables, enhancing the validity of conclusions.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Utilizes both descriptive and inferential statistics for data assessment.
Descriptive statistics frequently measure means and standard deviations.
Common inferential tests include t-tests, analyses of variance (ANOVA), and chi-square tests.

Description

Explore the concepts of causal-comparative research through flashcards. This quiz delves into the definitions and distinctions of various types of research, including retrospective studies. Enhance your understanding of how researchers identify causes for differences among groups or individuals.