Causal Comparative Research

A characteristic of causal-comparative research that distinguishes it from experimental research is that in causal-comparative research

• the researcher manipulates the independent variable.

• one variable can be isolated as the cause for changes in other variables.

• extraneous variables are statistically controlled.

• existing groups are studied.

Which of the following research questions would almost certainly be studied with causal-comparative research?

• Do instructor-provided notes lead to higher achievement than student-constructed notes?

• Are three-year-old boys more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors than three-year-old girls?

• Is mathematics achievement related to spatial reasoning aptitude?

• What proportion of school district superintendents support school choice?

Which of the following is a method for controlling the subject characteristics threat in causal-comparative research?

• matching subjects in the groups

• randomizing subjects to conditions

• varying the baseline interval for each group

• counterbalancing the groups

Which of the following is not a type of causal-comparative research?

• exploration of effects caused by group membership

• exploration of causes of group membership

• exploration of the consequences of an intervention

• exploration of factors underlying a set of variables

In causal-comparative research, investigators attempt to determine

• the changes in behavior an individual exhibits after exposure to an intervention or treatment of some sort.

• our understanding of important phenomena through large scale surveys.

• the causes or consequences of differences that already exist between or among groups of individuals.

• prediction equations.

Which of the following is a step in causal-comparative research?

• formulating the problem by identifying and defining the particular phenomena of interest, and then considering possible causes for or consequences of these phenomena

• providing guidance for subsequent experimental studies

• identifying the changes in behavior an individual exhibits after exposure to an intervention or treatment of some sort

• exploring of our understanding of important phenomena through use of Factor Analysis.

True or False?

There are three types of causal-comparative research (exploration of effects, exploration of causes, exploration of consequences).

• True

• False

True or False?

Counterbalancing the groups is a method for controlling the subject characteristics threat in causal-comparative research.

• True

• False

True or False?

The most commonly used inference test in causal-comparative studies is the chi square.

• True

• False

True or False?

The main strength of causal-comparative research is in demonstrating cause and effect.

• True

• False