research and design quiz #6 Flashcards
(42 cards)
__________ research refers to
counting and measuring items associated
with the phenomena in question
Quantitative
_________ research provides a means of describing and
explaining a phenomenon through a
numerical system
Quantitative
__________ research is an objective analysis based on the
numerical findings produced from
observations
Quantitative
Most criminological research is ___________
quantitative
__________ forms the core of quantitative
research
Empiricism
use of sensations and
experiences (observations) to arrive at
conclusions about the world in which we live
what is it?
Empiricism
Empiricism is important because it focuses on
________ rather than causal observation
causation
Behaviors or events that lead to other behaviors or events. This leads to the status of something having: ________
CAUSALITY
There are, at minimum, _____ necessary elements to establish a true
causal relationship
Three
What are the three elements to establish a true causal relationship?
1) T___ Or___g
2) Co____n
3) Cont___ for ______ Conf______rs
Time ordering –
* in the statement “X causes Y,” we must establish that “X” did in fact occur before “Y”
Correlation –
* “X” and “Y” must share a relationship or be associated with each other
Control for potential confounders –
* we must establish that the relationship between “X” and “Y” is not explained by some
other variable
in the statement “X causes Y,” we must establish that “X” did in fact occur before “Y”
Which element of casual relationship is this?
Time ordering
“X” and “Y” must share a relationship or be associated with each other
Which element of casual relationship is this?
Correlation
we must establish that the relationship between “X” and “Y” is not explained by some other variable
Which element of casual relationship is this?
Control for potential confounders
What are the four types of cause?
1) Id_____ic Cause
2) No_____ic cause
3) Nec______ cause
4) Suf_____nt cause
Idiographic cause
Nomothetic cause
Necessary cause
Sufficient cause
the examination of numerous explanations for why an event occurred
- Many causes can be contrasted and compared using numerical assignments
- Tends to focus on the individual and their unique qualities (idiosyncratic characteristics)
which of the four causes (that are made up of the three necessary elements) is this one?
Idiographic cause
– the examination of relatively few observations to provide a partial
explanation for an event
- Probability assessments generate inferences based on few observations
- Focuses on generalizations and classifications for groups, principles, and dimensions
which of the four causes (that are made up of the three necessary elements) is this one?
Nomothetic cause
– a condition or event must occur for another event to take place
Ex: If you live in Huntsville, Texas, it is ________ that you
live in the United States
which of the four causes (that are made up of the three necessary elements) is this one?
Necessary cause
– the presence of a condition ordinarily causes the effect to occur
Ex: if you live in the U.S., it is ________ that you live in
Huntsville, Texas, but it is not necessary
* Ex: If you live in a place called Huntsville, it is ________ that
you live in Texas, but it is not necessary. Why? Because you
could live in other U.S. states with a town called Huntsville
(Arkansas, Alabama, etc.)
which of the four causes (that are made up of the three necessary elements) is this one?
Sufficient cause
the arbitrary assignment of numerical values to variables without logical reason for doing so
For example, it would make little sense to
assign a rational number (i.e., a fraction
or decimal value) to the
nominal/categorical variable “gender” or
“sex”
what condition is this?
False precision
False precision often occurs when one
attempts to quantify concepts
Su______ly rather than Ob_____ly
subjectively rather than objectively
What are the Four Levels of Quantitative Measurement?
(hint: N.O.I.R.).
1) Nominal
2) Ordinal
3) Interval
4) Ratio
categorical, typology, but not ordered (e.g.,
variables such as “gender” or “sex” are _______)
- Each category in ________ measures is mutually
exclusive - There is no quantitative or statistical value in the
assigned numbers other than for coding purposes
or reporting results among particular groups
Other examples include:
* political party
* region,
* urbanicity etc.
Which of the four Measures of Quantitative Research is this?
Level #1: Nominal Measurement
– categorical, typological, and can be ordered
or ranked
- (e.g., police or military rank would be _____) but
no mathematical/quantifiable difference
between the categories - Another example is the rank ordering of crimes
by seriousness. If you say on a scale from 1 to 10
(1 = least, 10 = most) stealing is a 4, assault is a 7,
and murder is 10, the unit differences between
these values cannot be substantively explained - Another example is measures of one’s
satisfaction with something (lets say customer
service) on a scale from 1 (very unsatisfied) to 5
(very satisfied). However, we still don’t know the
true difference between a 4 and a 5 on this scale
Which of the four Measures of Quantitative Research is this?
Level #2: Ordinal Measurement
– categories that have distinctive and
equal differences between the characteristics
measured
- There is an expected equality in the
distance between the items on a
continuum, but there is no set zero or
starting point - (e.g., IQ scores 115 to 130 is separated by
15 units, but so is 150 to 165. this 15-unit
difference, however, lacks distinction) - Temperature is another ______ measure
because it lacks a true zero starting point
(you can have negative degrees below zero)
Which of the four Measures of Quantitative Research is this?
Level #3: Interval Measurement
