Introduction

Topics of Discussion

n     Causation (overview)

n     Significance

n     Purpose of Research

n     Research Design

n     Units of Analysis

n     The Time Dimension

CAUSATION

n     Minimum conditions

u  IV (x) and DV (y) are correlated            

Positive and negative correlation

u  Temporal Order (x) precedes (y)

u  Eliminate Spurious Explanations or Variables

      * z→x and z→y

SIGNIFICANCE

n     Are Findings Due to “Chance”?

n     Statistical v. Other Types of Significance

n     Determined by Question at Hand

n     Null Hypothesis

PURPOSES OF RESEARCH

n     EXPLORATORY

n     DESCRIPTIVE

n     EXPLANATORY

RESEARCH DESIGN

n     STEPS

Define Problem

          Literature Review

          Define Study Purpose

          Conceptualization

          Operalization

          Research Method(s)

          Population and Sampling

Defining Problem Statement

n     Literature Review

n     Subjects for Study

n     Theory

CONCEPTUALIZATION & OPERALIZATION

n     Propositions

n     Conceptualization

u  Define Concepts

n     Operalization

u  Precise Measurement of Concepts

UNITS OF ANALYSIS

-       Definition: That which is being studied

-       Types – ostensibly infinite

-       Common Types – Individuals, Households, Dyads, Nations, Groups

-       Units of Analysis v. Aggregated Data

ERRORS WITH UNITS OF ANALYSIS

-       Ecological Fallacy – Drawing conclusions about individuals based on observations about the group or other larger unit of analysis

-       Individualistic Fallacy – Using individual exceptions to negate patterns

-       Reductionism – Reducing complex phenomena to a single cause

-       Difference between parsimony and reductionism

THE TIME DIMENSION

n     Affects Causal Statements and Generalizability

n     Major Categories

u  Cross-Sectional

u  Longitudinal

« Trend

« Panel

« Cohort