The "C" Word
Causal Criteria
Parts of an Experiment
Choosing Subjects
100
Discovering that change in one variable leads to change in another variable
What is Causal Effect
100
Criterion for establishing a causal relationship between two variables: Variation in one variable is empirically related to variation in another variable.
What is Association (aka Correlation)
100
Experiment in which subjects are assigned randomly to an experimental group that receives treatment or to a control group that does not receive treatment/manipulation. Outcomes measured in a posttest.
What is a True Experiment
100
A procedure by which each experimental subject is placed in a group randomly.
What is Random Assignment (Randomization)
200
Latin phrase meaning, "other things being equal"
What is Ceteris paribus
200
A criterion for establishing a causal relationship between two variables: The variation in the presumed cause (independent variable) must occur before the variation in the presumed effect (dependent variable)
What is Time Order
200
The group that receives treatment or manipulation in an experiment.
What is an Experimental Group
200
A procedure for equating the characteristics of individuals in different comparison groups in an experiment. For individuals, people who are similar in their key characteristics are paired prior to assignment, and then the two members of each pair are assigned to the two groups (control/experimental)
What is Matching
300
The larger set of interrelated circumstances in which a particular outcome should be understood.
What is Context
300
A criterion for establishing a causal relationship between two variables: when a relationship between two variables is not due to variation in a third variable.
What is Nonspuriousness
300
In experimental research, this is the measurement of an outcome (dependent variable) after an experimental intervention or after a presumed independent variable has changed for some other reason.
What is a Posttest
400
The multiple groups that have been exposed to different treatments, or values of the independent variable in an experiment.
What is Comparison Groups
400
Nature of a presumed relationship between two variables that is actually due to variation in a third variable
What is Spurious
400
The measurement of an outcome (dependent variable) prior to an experimental intervention or change in a presumed independent variable.
What is Pretest
500
A human being who receives their nutrients from the consumption of human flesh.
What is a Cannibal
500
A discernible process that creates a causal connection between two variables
What is a Mechanism
500
A comparison group that receives no treatment
What is a Control Group
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