Theories and Linkages Flashcards
What is a parsimonious theory?
Describes RL between variables with fewest concepts.
What is an operational linkage?
What does the RL between two variables look like (it is an image).
What forms can an operational linkage take?
Linear, non-linear, positive, negative.
What does the coefficient in an operational linkage define?
How steep the RL is between two or more variables. Signifies STRENGTH of RL.
What is the constant?
The point where line crosses. When both dependent and independent variable are at same point.
What does a moderator do in this operationa linkage?
Influences strength or direction of RL.
What does mediator do?
Explains how or why an observed RL exists between IV and DV.
Give an example of a hypothesis of moderation.
Example:
IV: Financial hardship
DV: Healthcare utilization
Moderator: Fear of debt
Fear of debt will moderate the RL between financial hardship and healthcare utilization such that under low fear, both people with low and high levels of financial hardship will have high levels of healthcare utilization; under high fear of debt, people with low financial hardship will have high levels of HL utilization while those with high financial hardship will have low HC utilization.
Financial hardship leads to less HC utilization (-)
Financial hardship leads to (+) fear of debt leads to (-) utiliation.
OVERALL RL IS NEGATIVE.
Give an example of mediation hypothesis.
IV: Maternal happiness
DV: Breastfeeding duration
Mediator: Maternal depression
Materal depression will mediate the RL between materal happiness and breastfeeding duration such that maternal happiness will reduce maternal depression which in turn will reduce breastfeeding duration.
