Deck 3: Causal Inference in Research on Families and Children

Question 1

If two variables are related, then it is safe to assume that they have a causal relationship.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

In some cases, it may seem like there is a causal relationship between the independent and dependent variables even if there is no actual relationship.However, a third variable may create the illusion that there is a causal relationship.This phenomenon is called a ______.

A)constant conjunction
B)spurious effect
C)correlation
D)temporal precedence

Answer 2

B

Question 3

It only takes one study to prove if there is a causal relationship between two variables.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Researchers might use a nondirectional hypothesis if they do not have enough evidence to predict the nature of an association.

Question 5

Which of the following is the best research design for determining causality between variables?

A)survey
B)cross-sectional
C)observational
D)longitudinal

Question 6

Which of the following is the variable that would most likely be the independent variable in a study?

A)the education level of the participant
B)the occupation of the participant
C)the participant's nation of origin
D)the number of children a participant has

Question 7

The unit of analysis used to study communities is most likely on a(n) ______ level.

A)individual
B)dyad
C)extended family
D)aggregate

Question 8

Using the information provided in Table 3.1, identify the cell that best represents studying the effects of national minimum wage on a couple's likelihood for divorce. [A matrix for generating research questions about families, which includes separate rows for different independent variables of units of analysis, such as individual, dyad, and coresidential family]

A)2,4
B)1,4
C)5,2
D)5,1

Question 9

______ are additional factors that affect the dependent variable while being influenced by the independent variable.

A)Moderating variables
B)Control variables
C)Intervening variables
D)Dependent variables

Question 10

When constructing a hypothesis, researchers should try to predict the average outcomes of a population.

Question 11

Which of the following steps would be the most difficult for a researcher when trying to prove a causal relationship?

A)identifying variables that produce a spurious effect
B)defining the causal mechanism that creates an effect
C)finding empirical data surrounding their chosen variables
D)using statistical analysis to determine if the relationship is spurious

Question 12

It is helpful for researchers to find the ______ by trying to identify which contexts might produce the association they are studying.

A)causal mechanism
B)constant conjunction
C)independent variables
D)spurious effect

Question 13

Which of the following criteria for establishing causality would be the most difficult to achieve when conducting a cross-sectional study?

A)causal mechanism
B)constant conjunction
C)temporal precedence
D)nonspuriousness

Question 14

When conducting research, there may be other variables that affect the dependent variable besides the independent variable.Researchers can choose to include these ______ variables if their effect on the dependent variable is strong enough.

A)alternative
B)intervening
C)mediating
D)control

Question 15

Moderating variables directly affect both the independent and dependent variables.