Deck 16: Causal-Comparative Research

Question 1

Which of the following is not possible in causal-comparative research?

A) Use of comparison groups
B) Random assignment to treatment or comparison groups
C) Measurement
D) Observation

Answer 1

Random assignment to treatment or comparison groups

Question 2

One way of providing some control in a causal-comparative research design is to:

A) match the subjects in the groups to be compared on as many extraneous variables as possible
B) list all of the subjects from the population under study and randomly assign them to experimental and control groups
C) do a pilot study before carrying out the main research
D) obtain measurements on an additional dependent variable

Answer 2

match the subjects in the groups to be compared on as many extraneous variables as possible

Question 3

Causal-comparative research is so named because:

A) it is a way of exploring cause-effect relationships
B) it is the most effective method of determining cause and effect
C) it is intended only to explain reasons for group membership
D) it systematically alters causes in order to study their effects

Answer 3

it is a way of exploring cause-effect relationships

Question 4

Most causal-comparative studies begin with:

A) measurement of the dependent variable
B) assignment of subjects to treatment groups
C) known differences among two or more groups
D) measurement of the independent variable

Question 5

Causal-comparative studies are conducted when experimentation is:

A) too expensive
B) impossible
C) unethical
D) all of the above

Question 6

The causal-comparative and experimental methods are similar in that both:

A) require random selection of subjects
B) require random assignment of subjects
C) involve at least one categorical variable
D) require repeated measurement of subjects

Question 7

The causal-comparative and correlational methods differ in that the causal-comparative method:

A) requires at least one categorical variable
B) attempts to explore causation
C) requires more reliable scores
D) requires a larger sample

Question 8

The appropriate statistical procedure when all variables are categorical is the:

A) scatterplot
B) crossbreak table
C) frequency polygon
D) correlation coefficient

Question 9

In a causal-comparative study, groups should be compared on:

A) only the variable of primary interest
B) all variables that are easily measured
C) those variables suggested by the researcher's rationale
D) only quantitative variables

Question 10

A pitfall in much causal-comparative research is:

A) failure to define comparison groups carefully enough
B) using groups that are too homogeneous
C) matching on too many variables
D) use of inappropriate descriptive statistics

Question 11

The subject characteristics threat in a causal comparative study may be controlled by:

A) mechanical matching
B) statistical matching
C) homogeneous groups
D) all of the above

Question 12

The most threats to the internal validity of a causal-comparative study occur in:

A) studies exploring causes of group membership
B) studies exploring consequences of group membership
C) studies exploring consequences of an intervention
D) studies comparing biologically determined groups

Question 13

A researcher wishes to assess the effects of a new teaching technique on student performance in two sections of a high school mathematics course. She plans to control relevant variables by matching the subjects in the two sections. The relevant variables that she considers to be important are age, sex, amount of high school education, level of aspiration, and intelligence. She will arrange to have one section taught by the new technique and the other by a conventional technique. If she attempts to match on all of the variables listed, what problem is she likely to encounter?

A) An excessive range of mental ability
B) Excessive overlap among the dependent variables selected
C) A lack of statistical techniques for analyzing results of this kind
D) An insufficient number of cases for some of the classifications

Question 14

Evaluating specific threats to internal validity in a causal-comparative study involves all of the following except:

A) identifying factors related to the variable(s) on which groups are compared
B) determining whether each factor is controlled by random assignment
C) judging whether comparison groups are likely to differ on these factors
D) prioritizing the seriousness of identified threats

Question 15

In a causal-comparative study, comparison groups:

A) are set up by the researcher
B) are already in existence
C) are obtained by random assignment
D) cannot exceed three in number

Question 16

Which of the following hypotheses can only be studied by using the causal-comparative method?

A) Participation in a values clarification program will improve self-esteem.
B) Girls have higher self-esteem than boys.
C) Students high in self-esteem achieve higher grades when they attend college.
D) Self-esteem decreases between ages 8 and 18.

Question 17

Causal-comparative studies wherein all variables are categorical:

A) are impossible
B) are of little value
C) require a large number of variables
D) are relatively infrequent in education

Question 18

A comparison of delinquents vs. nondelinquents might be made in order to:

A) determine probable factors leading to delinquency
B) predict future behavior of delinquents
C) test a theory on the development of delinquency
D) all of the above

Question 19

When a quantitative variable is divided into categories:

A) precision is reduced
B) the basis for dividing is usually hard to defend
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 20

The major threat to internal validity in a causal-comparative study is:

A) location
B) subject characteristics
C) data collector bias
D) instrument decay

Question 21

Matching

-Quantitative variable

A) ex post facto research
B) Manipulation of independent variable
C) Prediction using quantitative variables
D) Net worth
E) Ethnicity

Question 22

Matching

-Categorical variable

A) ex post facto research
B) Manipulation of independent variable
C) Prediction using quantitative variables
D) Net worth
E) Ethnicity

Question 23

Matching

-Causal-comparative research

A) ex post facto research
B) Manipulation of independent variable
C) Prediction using quantitative variables
D) Net worth
E) Ethnicity

Question 24

Matching

-Correlational research

A) ex post facto research
B) Manipulation of independent variable
C) Prediction using quantitative variables
D) Net worth
E) Ethnicity

Question 25

Matching

-Experimental research

A) ex post facto research
B) Manipulation of independent variable
C) Prediction using quantitative variables
D) Net worth
E) Ethnicity

Question 26

Causal-comparative research is interested in exploring the cause or consequences of differences that already exist among groups of individuals.

Question 27

Causal-comparative research establishes cause and effect.

Question 28

The major threat to the internal validity of a causal-comparative study is the possibility of a subject characteristics threat.

Question 29

The most commonly used statistical inference test in causal-comparative studies is a t test for differences between means.

Question 30

Discriminate function analysis may be used to strengthen the interpretability of causal-comparative studies.