1. Sociology Chapter 2 Lesson 2 Causation in Science
By B.A. Loeffler

2. Nature of Causation
Causation is the idea that one event leads to another
Multiple Causation – events occur due to several factors

3. Variables and Correlations
Variable – a characteristic
Quantitative Variables – measured numerically
Qualitative Variables – defined by its presence or absence in a category
People are either male or female. Quan or Qual?

4. Independent variable – is changed or altered to observe its effects
Dependent variable – effect caused by the independent variable
The answer is dependent upon the independent variable
Intervening variable – changes the relationship between the independent and dependent variable

5. Correlation Measure of the relationship between two variables
Positive correlation – data moves in the same direction
Negative correlation – one variable increases while another decreases

9. Standards for Showing Causation
Standard 1 – Two variables must be correlated
Standard 2 – All other possible factors must be taken into account
Standard 3 – A change in the independent variable must occur before a change in the dependent variable can occur.
Some researchers found that juvenile delinquency increases as church attendance declines