CTE Data

Find a link to the article here:   https://www.npr.org/2017/07/25/539198429/study-cte-found-in-nearly-all-donated-nfl-player-brains

INSTRUCTIONS:

Based on your reading of the above article: 

· Discuss how longitudinal research in general, and panel research in particular, is arguably the best suited for illuminating cause and effect relationships, using this article as a template. 

· In particular, while the results of the study examining donated brains of deceased NFL players initially appears to be damning to the NFL in particular, and tackle football in general, I ask students to tailor their discussion toward addressing the need for time-series, longitudinal research, on this important matter.  In other words,

· (a) does the current research on CTE, meet all of the criteria for nomothetic causality; and

· (b) if not, how might longitudinal research help meet these criteria? 

· In essence, based on what you have learned this term, apply the three criteria of nomothetic causality to this study, and discuss whether or not all criteria are met with this research (are there any potential selection effects in operation here?). 

· Will this longitudinal research change your views on participating in contact sports?  Why or why not?