Kin209 Midterm 2 Flashcards
Causal claims
Post-positivism
Based on the notion that there is a single reality, or a single objective truth that is waiting to be discovered through research.
Key defining features:
Determinism: causes determine effects (use of experimentation)
Reductionism: ideas can be reduced to small, discrete, and testable set (ie variables that comprise hypotheses and research questions)
Empirical observation and measurement: knowledge is based on careful observation and measurement
Theory testing: theories are tested corroborated, or refined
Determinism and causality defined
Determinism: the philosophical doctrine that assumes that every event has causes
-events are determined, or caused to happen; they are not ‘free’ in any other way
-injury prevention vs “accidents”
Causality: the principle that everything has a cause
-the relation of cause and effect
Causation
Effects can be the result of multiple causes
To claim causation:
1) covariation (correlation) between variables;
2) the relationship is not found to be the result of some third variable (isolation)
3) effects follow causes (temporal precedence)
4) the manipulation of a cause will result in the manipulation of an effect
Three criteria for establishing causation between Variable A and B
covariance (correlation): the study's show that as A changes, B changes (high levels correlate with high, vice versa) temporal precedence (cause & effect): the study's method ensures that A comes first in time, before B internal validity: the study's method ensures that there are no plausible alternative explanations for the change in B; A is the only thing that changed. (accounts for a third variable (C) or confounder that implies that manipulation of A will affect B)
Goals of science revisited
1) describe: using language to describe results that are scientifically a reflection of relationships should be avoided
- this is the way things are, cannot claim causation
2) explain-causation, how
3) predict-causation, why
Describing the type of claims
causal: -affects -leads to -reduces -has an effect on -experimental study Association claim: -associated -related to -linked to -correlated frequency claim -counts: x number of, x percent of, x-y per day
Frequency claims
Describe a particular rate or degree of a single variable
-how many, how often? (40% of Canadian adults are physically active)
Involve only ONE measured variable
Association Claims (Morling)
Argue that one level of a variable is likely associated with a particular level of another variable
-involve at least two measured variables (unlike frequency claims that focus on one)
Variables that are associated are CORRELATED
-positive
-negative
-zero
No attempt to manipulate, control, or interfere with variables
Correlation does NOT equal causation
Ice cream and shark attacks
Making predictions based on associations (Morling)
- some association claims are useful because they help us make predictions
- the stronger the association between the two variables, the more accurate the prediction
- both positive and negative associations can help us make predictions, but zero association cannot
Causal claims (Morling)
One of the variables is responsible for changing the other (cause and effect)
-one measured variable (DV)
-one manipulated variable (IV)
Typically takes the form of an experimental design
-experimental group, control group
Mediator (MacKinnon)
-A third variable that is intermediate in the causal chain relating X and Y
In a mediation model, the IV causes the mediator which then causes the DV
-X,Y,Z
-no relationship between x and y without
Moderator (MacKinnon)
A variable that changes the sign or strength of the effect of an IV on a DV
- typically an interaction such that the effect of the IV on the DV depends on the level of the moderator variable
- effect modifiers (gender)
Mediators and moderators
mediating variable explains the relationship between two or more other variables
environment->behaviour->health
moderator enhances or modifies the relationship between two or more other variables
behaviour->Health
SES
-with whom will you conduct your intention
