Chapter 5. Correlational and Differential methods of research

Question 1

Correlational research methods aim to…

Answer 1

determine the strength of a relationship between two or more variables. The variables are not manipulated

Question 2

functions of correlational research:

Answer 2

1. make predictions 2. determining consistency (or incosistency) of data –> a theory can not be proven, but can be negated through falsification of results and theory

Question 3

Differential research methods aim to…

Answer 3

compare two or more groups,which are based onpreexisting characteristics, qualitative or quantitative dimensions can be used toclassify groups. independent variables are not manipulated.

Question 4

cross-sectional research designs

Answer 4

people in different age groups are compared on specific variables

Question 5

cohort effect

Answer 5

effect caused by people of the same age groups having a similar set of experiences, and therefor view the world differently, (e.g. WWII-generation) but not because of their age, because of their experience

Question 6

Longitudinal research design

Answer 6

the same set of participants for multiple years, developmental changes can be established.

Question 7

time series research design

Answer 7

variation of longitudinal design: measurement before and after manipulation or event are being compared.

Question 8

When is a relationship between two variables confounded?

Answer 8

When a third variable that correlates with both the independent and the dependent variable influences the result. (Can be avoided by keeping one variable constsant)

Question 9

What do we call an artefact?

Answer 9

the effect an independent variable shows with the dependent variable that s caused by a third variable.

Question 10

When do we usually use correlational research?

Answer 10

often used for secondary statistical analyses in research with a research question that ultimately is of higher constraint

Question 11

Demographic Variables are:

Answer 11

traits characterising individuals, such as age, educational level,or socio-economic status

Question 12

Whta do we call the researcher Bias?

Answer 12

the tendency researchers have, to see what they have hypothesized –> minimized by objective instruments

Question 13

What is the “researcher reactivity”?

Answer 13

researcher’s tendency to influence participants’ behavior and responses: Minimized by using two independent researchers.

Question 14

Can you explain the participants tendency to answer artificially consistent?

Answer 14

Knowing they are under observation they want to be consistent with their answers. This can lead to a strong relationship between variables, although when the questions are answered truthfully, this would not be the case. Can be minimized through “filler items”, items that divert attention away from the ultimate goal of the study.

Question 15

What are moderator variables?

Answer 15

a variable that seemingly alters the relationship between variables. e.g. sex, ethnicity or culture

Question 16

Cross-cultural research

Answer 16

investigates phenomena and then compares them across cultures to see if they occur generally or are culturally dependent.

Question 17

Multiple correlation

Answer 17

practice of investigating the relationship of one variable with a whole set of variables

Question 18

Canonical Correlation

Answer 18

investigation of the relationship between two sets of variables

Question 19

Partial correlation

Answer 19

the research into a relationship between two variables, but after statistcal analytic procedure called “Path analysis”“can test the strenth of evidence for a specific causal model by using corelational data.

Question 20

What does a theoratically significant differential study give us?

Answer 20

Insight into factors influencing the dependent variable, rather than uncovering group differences. The groups ideally only differ on the grouping variable,to rule out confounders. No manipulation is done in differential researchers, but there is an experimental or control group that ideally differ only in the independent variable.

Question 21

When can variable have a confounding effect in differential research?

Answer 21

When it (1) influences the scores on the dependent variable or (2) the groups differ on this variable.

Question 22

When do we use a t-test?

Answer 22

when dealing with two independent groups and score data as dependent variable. With multiple groups a variance analysis is used (ANOVA).

Question 23

Null Hypothesis states that:

Answer 23

no effect is present, in this cae that the mean scores on the dependent variable are equal across the groups. Rejecting the null hypothesis in this case means, that at least in one group the mean score is different.

Question 24

What are the limitations of correlational and differential research?

Answer 24

determining correlation through correlation is quite difficult, since different scenarios can explain the corelation. Also avoiding confounders might be hard, or they remain unnoticed altogether.