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Causal-Comparative Research Overview

Causal-comparative research is a non-experimental quantitative research method that compares groups to determine cause and effect relationships. It compares one or more variables between two or more groups after an event has occurred. It attempts to identify the causes or consequences of existing differences between groups. While it cannot manipulate variables like experimental research, it can provide insights when experimental research is not possible. Key steps include determining variables, sampling participants, collecting data through methods like surveys, and analyzing data using tests like chi-square, t-tests, or ANCOVA to identify relationships.

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Loura Malinao
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245 views19 pages

Causal-Comparative Research Overview

Causal-comparative research is a non-experimental quantitative research method that compares groups to determine cause and effect relationships. It compares one or more variables between two or more groups after an event has occurred. It attempts to identify the causes or consequences of existing differences between groups. While it cannot manipulate variables like experimental research, it can provide insights when experimental research is not possible. Key steps include determining variables, sampling participants, collecting data through methods like surveys, and analyzing data using tests like chi-square, t-tests, or ANCOVA to identify relationships.

Uploaded by

Loura Malinao
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE

RESEARCH
a non-experimental Quantitative Research
-compares one or more measurable
characteristics of two or more groups to find
the similarities and the differences between
them.
-”ex post facto”
GOAL
-determine whether the independent variable
affected the outcome (dependent variable)
-attempt to determine the cause or
consequences of differences that already exist
between or among groups of individuals.
COMPARISONS WITH CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

-both are useful when experimental research is


deemed impossible
-both designs attempt to determine relationships
among variables, but neither allows for actual
manipulation
-neither randomly places subjects intro control and
experimental groups
CONTRASTING WITH CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
Causal-comparative

-researcher investigates effect of an IV on a DV


ex: Whether a computer-based ACT program has a
positive effect on ACT scores
*in correlational, it only words with one group of
individuals
COMPARISON WITH EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
-both typically compare two or more groups of subjects
-both determine what effect the IV may or may not have on
the DV

CONTRASTING WITH EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH


Causal-comparative
-occurs after event or action has been completed
-research subjects are already in groups
WHEN TO USE
-particular IV that are not capable of being
manipulated (e.g. gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic
level, education level, and religious preferences)
- Some IV should not be manipulated

*usually a precursor to Experimental research


STEPS:
1. Determine the focus of research
-research question; generate hypothesis
-identifies DV and IV
2. Participant Sampling
-strengthen research design and counter threats to
internal validity
-impose selection techniques
Matching
-identifies one or more characteristics; selects
participants who fit in the characteristics of
control and experimental group

Comparing Homogenous subgroups


-compare subgroups that are clustered
according to a particular variable
Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA)
-able to discuss previously disproportionate
scores on a pretest to equalize the groups on
the control variable.
3. Instrumentation and Data collection
- QUESTIONNARIES, PRETESTS AND
POSTTESTS, CARIOUS ASSESSMENTS,
BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATIONS

4. Data Analysis and Interpretation


3 MOST USED METHODS
1. chi-square test
- Determine whether there is a statistically
significant relationship between
experimental and control groups based on
frequency counts.
- Best with nominal data (categories of
treatment or participant characteristics)
3 MOST USED METHODS
2. Independent or dependent t tests
- Significant difference between the control
and experimental groups
*Independent t test: NO CONTROLS ARE
APPLIED TO SAMPLES
*Dependent t test: MATCHING HAS BEEN
APPLIED TO SAMPLES
3 MOST USED METHODS
3. ANCOVA
-find significant difference between groups
based on mean scores
LIMITATIONS
-no control over variables
- reversal causation
-inability to construct random samples
TWO TYPES:

1. Retrospective Causal-Comparative Research


2. Prospective Causal-Comparative Research
Retrospective Causal-Comparative
Research
-researcher begins investigating a particular
question when the effects have already
occurred and the researcher attempts to
determine whether one variable may have
influenced another variable
Prospective Causal-Comparative
Research
-researcher initiates a study beginning with the
causes and is determined to investigate the
effects of a condition.
-more common

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