Deck 6: Causation and Research Design

Question 1

A trend study involves gathering data at two or more points in time.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

In a trend study, data are collected from the same subjects at more than one point in time.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Trend studies concern changes in the defined population and not changes in individuals within that population.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

A panel study of older adults will collect data from the same group at several points-in-time.

Question 5

Attrition is a problem in a trend study.

Question 6

Attrition is a problem in a panel study.

Question 7

The baby boom generation and the senior class at City High School are both examples of cohorts.

Question 8

A cohort study may be a type of trend study OR a panel design.

Question 9

When we say that education causes differences in income, we are using a nomothetic causal explanation.

Question 10

Demonstrating that there is an association is sufficient to conclude that there is a causal explanation.

Question 11

Random assignment and random sampling are the same.

Question 12

Controlling for other variables is a way to minimize spuriousness in nonexperimental research.

Question 13

To propose a causal explanation, a researcher need not establish time order.

Question 14

An intervening variable is a third variable that impacts on the relationship between the independent and dependent variable.

Question 15

Match the key term with its description.
-Association

A) Identification of other variables that allow for a relationship between independent and dependent variables.
B) The temporal priority of the independent variable.
C) The process that creates the connection between the independent and dependent variables.
D) Observed correlation between the dependent and independent variables.
E) The relationship between independent and dependent variables is not due to a third variable.

Question 16

Match the key term with its description.
-Context

A) Identification of other variables that allow for a relationship between independent and dependent variables.
B) The temporal priority of the independent variable.
C) The process that creates the connection between the independent and dependent variables.
D) Observed correlation between the dependent and independent variables.
E) The relationship between independent and dependent variables is not due to a third variable.

Question 17

Match the key term with its description.
-Mechanism

A) Identification of other variables that allow for a relationship between independent and dependent variables.
B) The temporal priority of the independent variable.
C) The process that creates the connection between the independent and dependent variables.
D) Observed correlation between the dependent and independent variables.
E) The relationship between independent and dependent variables is not due to a third variable.

Question 18

Match the key term with its description.
-Nonspuriousness

A) Identification of other variables that allow for a relationship between independent and dependent variables.
B) The temporal priority of the independent variable.
C) The process that creates the connection between the independent and dependent variables.
D) Observed correlation between the dependent and independent variables.
E) The relationship between independent and dependent variables is not due to a third variable.

Question 19

Match the key term with its description.
-Time Order

A) Identification of other variables that allow for a relationship between independent and dependent variables.
B) The temporal priority of the independent variable.
C) The process that creates the connection between the independent and dependent variables.
D) Observed correlation between the dependent and independent variables.
E) The relationship between independent and dependent variables is not due to a third variable.

Question 20

Match the key term with its description.
-Cross-Sectional Research

A) Collects data from the same individuals at multiple points in time.
B) Collects data from different samples of the same population at multiple points in time.
C) Collects data at a single point in time.
D) Collects data from people who share a common starting point at multiple points in time.

Question 21

Match the key term with its description.
-Panel Study

A) Collects data from the same individuals at multiple points in time.
B) Collects data from different samples of the same population at multiple points in time.
C) Collects data at a single point in time.
D) Collects data from people who share a common starting point at multiple points in time.

Question 22

Match the key term with its description.
-Trend Study

A) Collects data from the same individuals at multiple points in time.
B) Collects data from different samples of the same population at multiple points in time.
C) Collects data at a single point in time.
D) Collects data from people who share a common starting point at multiple points in time.

Question 23

Match the key term with its description.
-Cohort Study

A) Collects data from the same individuals at multiple points in time.
B) Collects data from different samples of the same population at multiple points in time.
C) Collects data at a single point in time.
D) Collects data from people who share a common starting point at multiple points in time.

Question 24

Match the measurement procedure to the definition.
-Units of observation

A) The level of social life on which the research question is focused.
B) Using individual-level data to make inferences about group-level processes.
C) Drawing conclusions about individuals based on group-level data.
D) The level of social life from which data was collected.

Question 25

Match the measurement procedure to the definition.
-Units of analysis

A) The level of social life on which the research question is focused.
B) Using individual-level data to make inferences about group-level processes.
C) Drawing conclusions about individuals based on group-level data.
D) The level of social life from which data was collected.

Question 26

Match the measurement procedure to the definition.
-Reductionist fallacy

A) The level of social life on which the research question is focused.
B) Using individual-level data to make inferences about group-level processes.
C) Drawing conclusions about individuals based on group-level data.
D) The level of social life from which data was collected.

Question 27

Match the measurement procedure to the definition.
-Ecological fallacy

A) The level of social life on which the research question is focused.
B) Using individual-level data to make inferences about group-level processes.
C) Drawing conclusions about individuals based on group-level data.
D) The level of social life from which data was collected.

Question 28

Which one of the following may not be a unit of analysis?

A) Organizations
B) Cities
C) Counties
D) Families
E) They may all be units of analysis

Question 29

In a study of different organizations' boards of directors and their role in setting policy, the board chairs were interviewed. The unit of analysis in this study is:

A) Organizations
B) Boards of Directors
C) Board Chairs
D) Board members
E) None of the above

Question 30

While investigating why juveniles spray grafitti, a researcher extensively interviews one thirteen year-old who was caught spraying grafitti. The researcher paid careful attention to the specific conditions of this juvenile offender that led to his act, such as: his relationship with his parents, his peers, his psychological health, his biological health, his educational experiences, his contact with role models, and his exposure to media. This study is a good example of what type of causal explanation?

A) Counterfactual
B) Exploratory
C) Idiographic
D) Nomothetic
E) Spurious