Causal-Comparative Research Chapter Nine

Aidil Syah Putra Ayu Raina Mufida

Causal-Comparative Research
The aim of causal-comparative research is to determine the cause of existing differences among groups.
Whereas correlational research involves collecting data on TWO or more variables on ONE group, causal comparative research involves the collection of data on ONE independent variables for TWO or more groups.

Causal-Comparative Research is Differentiated from Experimental Reserarch

In an experiment, the independent variable is manipulated by the researcher. In causal comparative research the independent has already occurred.

Examples of independent variables include socioeconomic status, pre-school history, number of siblings, and so on.

Causal-Comparative Designs: Similarities to Experimental Designs

Purpose
Trying to determine cause-effect relation between variables

Designs used
Single-factor Two-factor Multi-factor

Analysis of data

Causal-Comparative Designs vs Experimental Designs

Start with effect, then seek causes (retrospective)
Less often start with cause (prospective) Cannot be manipulated (SES, race, sex) Should not be manipulated (# cigarettes smoked/day) Were not manipulated (method of reading instruction)

No manipulation of variables

Causal-Comparative Designs vs Experimental Designs

Assignment of subjects to groups
In experimental, assignment MUST be random In causal-comparative, assignment is based on preexisting characteristics
It is more that of a relationship, with a suggestion of cause

Determination of cause is not as robust

Causal Comparative Research

Groups
are classified according to common preexisting characteristic, and compared on some other measure
intervention, manipulation, or random assignment

There is NO

Example: What causes lung cancer?

Finding: People with lung cancer smoke more than people without lung cancer. There are no other differences in lifestyle characteristics between the groups. Conclusion: Smoking is a possible cause of lung cancer. Caution: A third factor? Proper matching?

Value of Causal Comparative Research

Uncovers relationships to be investigated experimentally. Used to establish cause-effect when experimental design not possible. Less expensive and time consuming than experimental research. Note: if you conduct a quantitative research study it most likely will be a causal-comparative study.

Two Variations of Causal Comparative Studies

IV: presumed cause
Groups formed on the basis of how much TV they watch, and compared on academic achievement (GPA).

DV: presumed effect

Groups formed on the basis of gender, and compared on strength of career aspirations.

Two Variations (cont.)

IV: presumed effect
Groups formed on the basis of whether they dropped out of high school, and compared on lack of mentoring relationship.

DV: presumed cause

Groups formed on the basis of difficulty in learning to read, and compared on time parent spent reading to child.

Strengthening Causal Comparative Designs

Strong inference (theory). Time sequence (presumed cause precedes presumed effect). Incorporate other, possible, causes in the design (measure common antecedents) . Use designs that control for extraneous causes:
matched group design Extreme groups design Statistical control (Analysis of Covariance)

Wide Variety of Statistical Procedures

t tests, ANOVA, ANCOVA when two or more groups are being compared. Regression analysis when there are multiple independent variables. MANOVA, and multivariate regression, when there are multiple dependent variables. Path analysis and structural equation modeling when the theoretical causal paths are being investigated.

The END