Components of Research

1. Components of Research 2.2

2. Causation • Causation is the belief the events occur in predictable ways and have a causal effect on one another • Multiple Causation: belief that an event occurs as a result of several variables working together

3. Variables • Variable: a characteristic that is subject to change • There are two types of variables: • quantitative • qualitative

4. Variables • Quantitative variables • characteristics that can be measured numerically • examples: • 65% of men watch football on Sundays • 3 million people live in Chicago • There are 15 major gangs in Los Angeles

5. Variables • Qualitative variables • Characteristics that are defined by being placed into a category • “either/or” “yes/no” • examples: • you are a male or female • you are a frosh, soph, junior or senior • do you drive

6. Variables • Independent variable: • Characteristic that causes change • Dependent variable: • Characteristic that reflects change • Intervening variable: • Variable that changes the relationship between the independent and dependent variables

7. Variables • A teacher documents that the more sleep a student has before a test the better grade she will earn. • What is the independent variable? • amount of sleep • What is the dependent variable? • grade that is earned

8. Variables • Kevin gets frustrated at his wife when they are late to functions because she takes too long to get ready. • What is the independent variable? • the time my wife ready to leave • What is the dependent variable? • Kevin’s frustration level

9. Variables • If Susie finishes her chores by Wednesday she is allowed to extend her curfew by a half-hour. • What is the dependent variable? • extension of curfew • What is the independent variable? • the day she finishes her weekly chores

10. Correlation • Correlation = measure of the relationship between two variables • There are 2 types of correlation • Positive • Negative

11. Correlation • Positive Correlation • When the independent and dependent variable change in the same direction • Do not apply value judgments – positive does not mean “good” • Examples: • Increased studying = better grades • Increased number of gangs = increased crime • More you eat = increase in weight gain

12. Correlation • Negative Correlation • When the independent and dependent variable change in opposite directions • Do not apply value judgments – negative does not mean “bad” • Examples: • Increase in healthy diet = decrease chance of illness • Increase in fire engines = decrease in response time • More time spent with friends = decrease in grades

13. Causation & Correlation • 3 standards must apply to show causation: • Variables must be correlated • All possible factors must be taken into account • A change in the independent variable MUST occur before a change in the dependent variable

14. Causation & Correlation • Spurious correlation: an apparent relationship between two variables which is actually caused by a third • Example: Juvenile delinquency declines when church attendance increases • Is this negative correlation related?

15. Causation & Correlation • 1st standard: can’t determine with out other applying other 2 standards • 2nd standard: age is a factor • teens attend church less than pre-teens; teens are more likely to commit crimes than pre-teens • 3rd standard: • does attendance stop before delinquency starts • does delinquent behavior occur before attendance stops • does this occur at the same time

16. Causation & Correlation • Since it is impossible to apply all 3 standards there is no correlation between church attendance and juvenile delinquency