Discussion: Variables, Research Questions, and Data Coding
D1.1. Compare the terms active independent variable and attribute independent variable. What are the similarities and differences?
There are two types of independent variables which are described by Morgan et al (2020) as active/manipulated independent variables and attribute/measured independent variables. Both serve as predictors in research and require input from a period or a group. Morgan et al (2020) describes active independent variables as a group of participants within a specified period during the study and can be manipulated by the researcher to include. Morgan et al (2020) describes attribute individual variables as a non-manipulated pre-existing measure which can often be factors such as age, political affiliation, and religious beliefs. While both have an impact on research attribute independent variables cannot be controlled experimentally, as active variables can be manipulated (Morgan et al, 2020).
D1.2. (a) What kind of independent variable (active or attribute) is necessary to infer cause?
Morgan et al (2020) states only active independent variable approaches such as randomized experimental or quasi-experimental, can infer that the independent variable and its data could cause change or differences in a dependent variable. Active independent variables can be manipulated and cause change.
D1.2. (b) Can one always infer cause from this type of independent variable? If so, why? If not, when can one infer cause and when might causal inferences be more questionable?
According to the text, causation inferences cannot always be inferred from using active independent variables. Additionally, Morgan et al (2020) states that when we analyze data, it is difficult to differentiate whether the independent variable is active or attribute which makes causal inference weak. Terms such as main effect and effect size may mislead researchers to believe independent variables cause the change, when in fact the independent variable is an attribute (Morgan et al, 2020).
D1.3. What is the difference between the independent variable and the dependent variable?
Morgan et al (2020) broadly defines independent variables as predictors, antecedents, or presumed causes or influences that are being investigated while dependent variables are assumed to measure or assess the effect of the independent variable. Additionally, dependent variables are thought of as the presumed outcome or criterion and come in the forms of test scores, ratings on questionnaires, readings from an instrument, and measures of performance. The dependent variable can change because of the independent variable.
D1.4. Compare and contrast associational, difference, and descriptive types of research questions.
Research questions are important aspects of any study and associational, difference, and descriptive research questions all have their purpose in different scenarios. Difference questions compare two or more groups comprised of individuals that have one of the values/levels of the independent variable and demonstrates the groups are not the same as the dependent variable (Morgan et al, 2020, p.5). The authors describe descriptive research questions as those that are not answered with inferential stats but describe data for the sample studied without generalizing a large population of individuals. Morgan et al (2020) describes associational questions as a relationship between two or more variables, with each variable often having more than five levels. An associational question may seek how variables enable one to predict another.
D1.5. Write a research question and a corresponding hypothesis regarding variables of interest to you but not in the HSB dataset. Is it an associational, difference, or descriptive question?
Research Question: Are kids who grow up in a household where parents have a positive financial situation and financial intelligence more likely to succeed financially as adults?
Hypothesis: Parents who teach their children about personal finances allow them to be better with money when they are adults as they build financial intelligence and positive association around finances.
Type of Question: Associational
D1.6. Using one or more of the following HSB variables, religion, mosaic pattern test, and visualization score
D1.6. (a.) Write an associational question.
Is there an association or correlation between religion and mosaic pattern testing scores?
D1.6. (b.) Write a difference question.
Are visualization scores different from mosaic pattern test scores?
D1.6. (c.) Write a descriptive question.
What is the average mosaic patter test score?