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: Dependent 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