Something may begin by chance; e.g., using the color red in a traffic signal to indicate stop. This was not due to any careful analysis or planning, instead specific circumstances came together in one place and time and could have easily come to a different result blue could mean stop). Although the beginning was by chance, over time altering it became increasingly difficult. For example, look how difficult it would be for England to drive on the right side of the road. Researchers use this process in qualitative data analysis and call it
A) successive approximation.
B) path analysis.
C) self reinforcing path dependency.
D) contingency analysis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is C) self reinforcing path dependency. This term describes a process where an initial decision or event, possibly made by chance, sets a path that becomes increasingly difficult to change over time due to the accumulation of reinforcing circumstances, investments, and expectations.

Something May Begin by Chance; E