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Understanding Causation in Social Science Research

Explore the importance of causation in social science research, including variables, correlation, and the scientific method. Learn to identify factors influencing social events to draw accurate conclusions. Watch videos for visual explanation.

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Understanding Causation in Social Science Research

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  1. Unit 1Chapter 2, Sections 2-3 Causation in Science/ Procedure and Ethics in Research Mr. Young

  2. Essential Question • Why is it important to look at the cause before jumping to conclusions of the effect of an event?

  3. The Nature of Causation • Causation- events occur in predictable, nonrandom ways • Social Scientists look for the factors that cause social events to happen

  4. Causation Videos • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTbZoKEOkUg

  5. Multiple Causation • Belief that an event occurs as a result of several factors working in combination

  6. Variables • Characteristic that is subject to change

  7. Quantitative Variable • Variable that can be measured and given a numerical value • Example: literacy rate in developing countries

  8. Qualitative Variable • Defined by presence or absence in a category • Example: “either/or” “yes/no” • Sex, Marital status, group membership

  9. Independent Variable • A characteristic that causes something to occur • Time studying for test

  10. Dependent Variable • A characteristic that reflects a change • Grade on Test

  11. Intervening Variable • Variable that changes the relationship between an independent and dependent variable • Government assistance that can help the poor • Sickness in the family

  12. Correlation • A measure of the relationship between two variables • Existence of correlation does not necessarily mean a cause-and-effect relationship exists

  13. Correlation videos • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLLJMMXrnQE&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkAymkcZO48

  14. Positive correlation • When independent and dependent variable change in the same direction • When grades (dependent) improve as study time increases (independent)

  15. Positive Correlation Videos • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6AtTIdjRQ4

  16. Negative correlation • Variables change in opposite direction • Grades (dependent) go down as time spent watching television (independent) increase

  17. Correlation and Causation • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNonyq1yhiE

  18. Standards for showing causation • Standard 1- Two variables must be correlated

  19. Standards Continued • Standard 2- All other possible factors must be taken into account • Spurious correlation- relationship between two variables that is actually caused by 3rd factor

  20. Standard Cont. • Standard 3- Change in independent variable must occur before a change in dependent can occur

  21. Section 3: Procedures in Research • Scientific Method- pursuit of knowledge in a systematic way • Hypothesis- educated guess

  22. 7 steps of research • Step 1: Identify the Problem

  23. Step 2: Review the Literature

  24. Step 3: Formulate Hypothesis • Because of the popularity of the show, more people with last name Griffen are calling their son Stewie

  25. Step 4: Develop a Research Design

  26. Steps Contiued: • Step 5: Collect Data • Step 6: Analyze Data • Step 7: State finding and Conclusion

  27. Essential Question • Why is it important to look at the cause before jumping to conclusions of the effect of an event?

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