Lecture 4: Comparing Research Strategies

Question 0

Sources of data

Answer 0

• presumably any measure
• surveys & rating scales (é.g. Personality)
• performance (é.g. Work outcomes, reaction times)
• demographic info (é.g. Age)
• epidemiological info

Question 1

Correlational research

Answer 1

• goal: describe associations & relationships b/w variables
• assessing the relationship b/w two or more variables (strength & direction)
• relationship: score on one variable reflects the score on another variable
• descriptive: no manipulation
• examining the relationship between X, Y & Z
• scatterplots and associated features

Question 2

Strengths of correlation research

Answer 2

• common research design
• criterion/predictive validity
• divergent/convergent/concurrent validity
• preliminary work for cause/effect research
• practical & ethical benefits
• ecological/external validity: no manipulation
• can use to negate theories

Question 3

Correlation & causation

Answer 3

• Directionality: A & B correlate; A causes B or B causes A

- third-variable problem: A & B correlate - relation caused by C

Question 4

Causality & explanation

Answer 4

• Determinism
• cause precedes effects
• causes are independent of effects
• circular explanations

Question 5

Experimental research strategies

Answer 5

- identifying cause-and-effect relationships via
A) manipulation (IV) 
B) assessment/measurement (DV) 
C) comparison 
D) control 
Does X influence Y? 
The effect of A on B

Question 6

Manipulation

Answer 6

• helps establish directionality
• IV prior to DV
• IV: typically manipulated by creating a set of treatment conditions
• treatment condition: specific value of the IV (levels of the IV)
• DV: assessed/measured response

Question 7

Controlling for confounding variables

Answer 7

• identify potential confounds
• importance of critical & logical thinking
• holding a variable constant é.g. Time of of day
• matching values é.g. Equal number of m/f
• Randomization