Questions and Answers
What might a 3rd variable do to the study?
A 3rd factor, confound/mediator that might influence the relationships between the two factors.
What are causal claims?
One variable causes a change in the second variable.
What key words should you look for when it is a causal claim?
"causes", "influences", "affects" and tentative language such as "may", "suggest".
Where is the IV located on a graph?
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Where is the DV located on a graph?
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What is the IV known as?
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What is the DV known as?
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What is covariance?
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What are the 3 criteria for causation?
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What does temporal sequence mean?
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What is internal validity?
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What are the goals of science and the claims?
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Study Notes
3rd Variable Problem & Causal Claims
- A third variable refers to an additional factor that can influence the relationship between two studied variables, potentially confounding the results.
- Causal claims assert that one variable directly causes a change in another variable, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.
Identifying Causal Claims
- Key phrases indicating causal claims include "causes," "influences," and "affects."
- Tentative language such as "may" and "suggest" often accompanies causal claims, indicating uncertainty.
Graphical Representation
- The independent variable (IV) is represented on the horizontal axis of a graph.
- The dependent variable (DV) is represented on the vertical axis.
Understanding Variables
- The independent variable is referred to as the cause in an experiment.
- The dependent variable is identified as the effect resulting from the cause.
Covariance Concept
- Covariance indicates that changes in the IV result in corresponding changes in the DV.
- For example, in a study on popcorn consumption, increased container size leads to increased popcorn consumption.
Criteria for Establishing Causation
- Three criteria must be met for establishing causation:
- Covariance: There must be a demonstrated correlation between IV and DV.
- Temporal sequence: The IV must precede the DV in time.
- Internal validity: The study must rule out alternative explanations for changes in the DV.
Temporal Sequence Clarification
- The independent variable must occur before measuring the dependent variable; for instance, participants are given different sizes of popcorn containers prior to consumption measurement.
Importance of Internal Validity
- Internal validity ensures that alternative explanations for changes in the DV are eliminated.
- In an example study, controlling for the movie content ensures that it does not skew results related to eating behavior.
Goals of Scientific Research
- Science aims to achieve various objectives:
- Understanding and describing phenomena leads to frequency claims.
- Making predictions pertains to association claims.
- Explaining phenomena is tied to establishing causal claims.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the 3rd variable problem that can influence the relationships between two factors in research. It includes definitions of key terms such as causal claims and important keywords to identify causal relationships. Ideal for students brushing up on statistics and research methodology.
