Chapter 8: Multivariate Correlational Research Flashcards

1
Q

What are three techniques that researchers use to get closer to establishing a casual relationship?

A

longitudinal designs, multiple regression designs and pattern & parsimony approach.

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2
Q

Longitudinal designs allow us to?

A

evaluate temporal precedence in data

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3
Q

multiple regression designs help us to rule out what?

A

help us to rule out certain third variable explanations

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4
Q

pattern & parsimony approach?

A

results of a variety of correlational studies all support a single causal theory

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5
Q

Multivariate designs??

A

involve more than two measured variables

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6
Q

A longitudinal design can provide evidence for temporal precedence by?

A

measuring the same variables in the same people at different points in time.

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7
Q

Cross-sectional correlations?

A

test to see whether two variables, measured at the same point in time are correlated

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8
Q

Autocorrelations?

A

evaluate the associations of each variable with itself across time….they determine the correlation of one variable with itself, measured on two different occasions.

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9
Q

Cross-lag correlations?

A

show whether the earlier measure of one variable is associated with the later measure of the other variable….they address the directionality problem and help establish temporal precedence.

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10
Q

What are three ways to interpret longitudinal designs?

A

cross-sectional correlations, autocorrelations and cross-lag correlations.

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11
Q

By inspecting via cross-lag correlations we can investigate what?

A

change over time and therefore establish temporal precedence

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12
Q

Do longitudinal designs help rule out third variables?

A

NO

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13
Q

Significant relationships in longitudinal designs can help establish what?

A

covariance

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14
Q

A longitudinal design can help researchers make inferences about temporal precedence by comparing what?

A

the relative strength of the two cross lath correlations, the researchers can sees which path is stronger.

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15
Q

Why do we not just do an experiment?(2)

A

-commonly people cannot be randomly assigned to a variable
- could be unethical to assign some people to a condition
L> when an experiment is not practical or ethical a longitudinal correlational design is a good option

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16
Q

Multiple regression can help rule out _____. They can address questions of_____.

A
  • third variables

- internal validity

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17
Q

Researchers are able to evaluate whether a relationship between two key variables still holds when they do what?

A

control for another variable.

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18
Q

When researchers use regression they are testing what?

A

whether some key relationship holds true even when a suspected third variable is statistically controlled for.

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19
Q

When researchers are using multiple regression they are studying how many variables?

A

3 or more

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20
Q

What is the first step in multiple regression?

A
  • choose a dependent variable (criterion variable)

L> this is the variable one is most interested in understanding or predicting

21
Q

In multiple regression the dependent variable is almost always where in the regression table?

A

specified in the top row or in the title of a regression table

22
Q

Aside from the dependent variable what are the other measured variables called in regression analysis?

A

predictor variables aka independent variables

23
Q

What does beta (B …standardized) show in regression analysis?

A

it reveals more than r does
L> positive: indicates a positive relationship between the predictor variable and the DV..when the other predictor variables are statistically controlled for.
L> negative: indicates a negative relationship between two variables when the other predictor variables are controlled for.
L> zero: not sig different from zero means that there is no relationship when other predictor variables are controlled for

24
Q

Betas in regression analysis denote ___ and ____ of some relationship. The higher beta is, the ___ the relationship is between that predictor variable and the DV.

A

direction and strength

stronger

25
Q

Betas change depending on?

A

other predictor variables are being used-bent controlled for-in the regression

26
Q

What does the b unstandardized coefficient show?

A
  • sign +/- denotes a positive or negative association

- cannot compare two b coefficients within the same table …you can compare betas.

27
Q

Why can you not compare two b coefficients within the same regression table?

A

they are computed from the original measurements of the predictor variables

28
Q

Why can you compare two beta coefficients within the same regression table?

A
  • they are computed rom predictor variables that have been changed to standardized units.
29
Q

If a predictor variable shows a large b does it actually denote a stronger relationship to the dependent variable than a predictor variable with a smaller b ?

A

no

30
Q

Are there beta values for each predicator variable in a multiple regression table?

A

YES one for each

31
Q

Each beta value is given a ___ value

A

p

32
Q

P values indicate what about beta?

A

if it is statistically sig different from zero

33
Q

If p is less than 0.05 what does this mean to beta?

A

the relationship between the predictor and the DV is stat sig

34
Q

If betas are found to be statistically sig what does this mean about the relationship found in regression analysis?

A

that it is a replicable relationship

35
Q

Adding several predictors to a regression analysis can help with what?

A

answering two kinds of questions
L> it helps control for several third variables at the same time
L> by looking at the betas for all of the other predictor variables we can get a sense of which factors most strongly affecting the DV

36
Q

Popular press sources rarely discuss __,___ or ___ variables. However if you read carefully you can detect what?

A

betas, p values or predictor variables

- the tell tale signs that a multiple regression has been used.

37
Q

The term controlled for is a clue that the study used what ?

A

multiple regression

38
Q

The phrase taking into account means that researchers conducted what?

A

regression analysis

39
Q

The phrase after correcting for indicates that the researchers used ?

A

multiple regression

40
Q

The fact that researchers cannot control for variables they have not measured is why what kind of design is better than correlational designs?

A
  • experimental designs
    L> random assignment would make the two groups likely to be equal on any possible third variable even the third variables the researchers did not happen to measure.
41
Q

Pattern and parsimony approach?

A
  • a variety of correlational studies that all point in a single causal direction
42
Q

Parsimony?

A

the simplest explanation of a pattern of data the best explanation that requires making the fewest exceptions or qualifications

43
Q

If all predictions are tied back to one central principle this is a strong case for what?

A

parsimony?

44
Q

Mediating variable?(mediator)

A
  • researchers propose a mediating step between two of the variables….mediating analyses often rely on multivariate tools such as regression analyses
45
Q

How does testing for a mediating variable work?

A
  1. test for relationship c…associationg between the IV and DV
  2. test for relationship a….IV and mediator
  3. test for relationship b….DV and mediator
  4. run a regression test using both the mediator and proposed IV to predict the DV to seed if relationship c goes away…..if the proposed mediator is truly the mediator in the test than when it is controlled for the relationship between the proposed IV and the DV will drop.
46
Q

Mediation tests often involve testing what?

A

the opposite pattern as well and comparing how well each pattern fits the data.

47
Q

Using statistic testings such as structural equation modelling with mediation models what can be compared?

A

two meditational models …the reverse and the preferred one …to see which fits the data best

48
Q

Whats the main difference between third variables and mediators?

A
  • third variables are external to the two variables in the original bivariate relationship
    L> mediatiors: researchers propose this when they are interested in isolating which aspect of the causal variable is responsible for that relationship
    L> it is internal to the causal variable and often not considered a nuisance like a third variable
49
Q

Aside from internal validity what other validities should be interrogated in multivariate studies?

A

external, construct and statistical