Chapter 3 Behavioral Research(Topic Facilitation Summary: GROUP E)

TYPES OF VARIABLES IN BEHAVIORAL RESEARH

Predictions - To foretell ; The making of statement or forming of an opinion about what will happen in the future

2 Types of Variables

·         Criterion (Dependent or measured variable ) –

-          It can be predicted (such as job performance, job satisfaction, absenteeism, or heart rate)

-          Control of predictor

·         Predictor (Independent or controlled variable) –

-          Predicting the criterion (such as test scores, measures of physical characteristics, or measures of other personal characteristics)

-          Effects

TYPES OF MEASUREMENT OF VARIABLES

Measurement – is basic to any statistical treatment or research data

4 basic types of measurements

Nominal scale – general type of variable in question ( as places of residence and job satisfaction) or maybe in by level

Ordinal scale – used to characterize the rank order on some variable of individual cases (how much difference there is between adjacent ranks).

Interval scale – individual cases have number associated with them, and these number are significant in the any given numerical difference, in any there a long the scale theoretically.

-          Represents an equal difference in the underlying variables.

Ratio scale – cases have numerical value that as with the interval scales in the variable being (ex. Height and weight)

BASIC RESEARCH STRATEGIES

·         Most important fact to remember:

-          Research is conducted in order to answer some question

-          Research is that no matter what method is used there is always some possible alternative explanation for the results contain.

·         Research strategy selected can be developed on the basis of the answers to three basics questios:

1.       What variables need to be studied?

2.       How should these variables be treated?

3.       In what setting should the research be under taken?

SELECTION OF VARIABLES

-          The choice of the variable would be affected by practical as well as by theoretical concerns.

TREATMENT OF VARIABLES IN RESEARCH

I.                    Do not measure

a)      Ignore ( Treatment 1)

b)      Randomization (Treatment 2)

II.                  Measure under the ff: conditions

a)      With no manipulation (Treatment 3)

b)      Manipulated by:

1.       Holding constant (Treatment 4)

2.       Matching (Treatment 5)

3.       Creating specific level of categories (Treatment 6)

RESEARCH SETTINGS

·         Laboratory studies – very contrived and artificial settings created by the researcher.

·         Field studies – done in natural settings.

EXPERIMENTAL AND CORRELATIONAL STRATEGIES

·         Experimental – involves in some form of manipulation of the predictor.

-          Used commonly in laboratory strategies

·         Correlational – data are obtained on the predictor and criterion variables for each case in the sample ( each case usually being an individual) without any experimental manipulation or control.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS IN RESEARCH

-          The reader should have at least passing acquaintance with certain basic concepts and methods.

CORRELATION

-          Is a statistical index of the degree of linear relationship between two variables