Discussion 1: Variables, Research Questions, and Data Coding
D1.1. Compare the terms active independent variable and attribute
independent variable. What are the similarities and differences?
An active independent variable would be exposing a group to a new
process or procedure for a specific timeframe. An attribute independent
variable, on the other hand, is a variable that already exists and cannot be
changed. Obviously, the main difference is that an active variable is
changeable where an attribute variable is not. They do have a similarity
though in that both may have an impact on a study’s outcome. For example,
you may expose a group to a sport like badminton to improve health
outcomes, but a person’s sex may impact outcomes.
D1.2. What kind of independent variable (active or attribute) is
necessary to infer cause? 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?
An active independent variable can allow a researcher to make the case
that the independent variable caused a change in the participants behavior.
Only an active independent variable can provide data that can allow one to
infer that the independent variable caused the change or difference in the
dependent variable (Morgan et al., 2020, p. 3). With that said, the researcher
must be careful not to always conclude that the active independent variable
always causes changes to participant behavior. There may be cases where
the researcher confuses causation with correlation. For example, if I study
the impacts of eating ice cream three times per day on the health outcomes
of people in the month of July. I may find some interesting outcomes. I may
see a rise in weight gain and drowning deaths amongst my participants. Did
an increase in ice cream consumption lead to more drowning deaths? No.
The fact that I did the study during July, when people swim more, is the real
culprit.
D1.3. What is the difference between the independent variable and
the dependent variable?
Simply put, the independent variable is the origin of the specific outcome.
The dependent variable is the outcome. The independent variable is what
ultimately causes the dependent variable. For example, if I pinched my
spouse of the arm and it hurt, the pinch was the independent variable and
my wife’s arm pain was the dependent variable. Her arm would not have
hurt without the introduction of the initial pinch.
D1.4. Compare and contrast associational, difference, and
descriptive types of research questions.
An associational research question tries to connect two or more variables,
usually the independent and dependent variable. Associational research is
effectively looking for relationships between these variables. A difference
research question, on the other hand, is that similar groups may not be the
same once an independent variable is administered to one of the groups.
This type of question attempts to demonstrate that the groups are not the
same on the dependent variable (Morgan et al., 2020, p. 4). Finally,
descriptive research questions ultimately look to define what happened once
a study is completed.
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: What impact does the receipt of name in likeness
compensation have on a college athletes (age 18-22) likelihood of
transferring to another university before their eligibility is expired?
Hypothesis: Students who receive name in likeness compensation are
more likely to transfer to another university before their eligibility expires
compared to those athletes who do not receive name in likeness
compensation.
I believe this is an associational question because name in likeness
compensation can impact a college athletes view on athletics in terms of
amateurism versus business opportunities.
This is an interesting time for college athletics as the line between
amateurism and professionalism is being blurred. We are not to choose jobs
and conduct our work to fulfill ourselves and accrue power, we are to see
work as a way of service to God and our neighbor (Keller, 2020, p. 67). This
is a decision that many high-level college athletes are being required to
make early in life.
D1.6. Using one or more of the following HSB variables, religion,
mosaic pattern test, and visualization score
a. Write an associational question.
Is there a positive association between those that consider themselves
religious and high GPA performance?
b. Write a difference question.
What is the difference in college degree attainment or higher between
men and women?
c. Write a descriptive question.
How motivated would you be to obtain the next available degree level
if college education was provided free of charge?
References
Keller, T. (2014),Every good endeavor: Connecting your work to God's work,
Riverhead Books, New York, NY. ISBN: 9781594632822.
Morgan, G. A., Barrett, K. C., Leech, N. L., & Gloeckner, G. W. (2020).IBM
SPSS for introductory statistics: Use and interpretation. Routledge,
Taylor et Francis Group.
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