Organizational Behaviour: Research Methods, Variables, and Causation

What is the primary focus of Organizational Behavior (OB)?

To understand human behavior in organizational settings using scientific methods.

What does Evidence-Based Management (EBM) emphasize?

Organizational practices based on scientific evidence to increase predictability and success.

What is the difference between correlation and causation?

Correlation indicates a relationship between two variables, while causation indicates that one variable directly affects another.

What are the two main types of variables in research?

Independent variables (IV) and dependent variables (DV).

What is an independent variable (IV)?

The variable that is manipulated or changed to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

What is a dependent variable (DV)?

The variable that is measured to see how it is affected by changes in the independent variable.

What role do mediating variables play in research?

They explain the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable.

What is a moderating variable?

A variable that affects the strength or direction of the relationship between an independent and a dependent variable.

What does validity refer to in the context of measurement?

The extent to which a measure accurately reflects what it is intended to measure.

What does reliability refer to in measurement?

The consistency of a measure across time and different contexts.

What is the significance of using scientific methods in OB?

It helps avoid mistakes and achieve organizational goals more effectively.

Why is predicting behavior in OB considered complicated?

Because human behavior is influenced by many variables, including personality and situational factors.

What is the contingency approach in OB?

It suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all answer; behavior depends on various situational factors.

What is the purpose of using surveys in OB research?

To gather data on employee perceptions and experiences systematically.

What is the relationship between supervisor support and employee job satisfaction?

Supervisor support is an independent variable that can positively influence employee job satisfaction, the dependent variable.

What is the role of observation in OB research?

To collect data on behaviors and interactions in natural settings.

What is the importance of accounting for contingencies in OB research?

The more contingencies accounted for, the better predictions can be made about behavior.

What does it mean when we say OB works in probabilities?

It indicates that while predictions can be made, they are not certainties due to the complexity of human behavior.

What is a common misconception about OB?

That it can provide straightforward answers to complex questions about human behavior.

What is the scientific method's role in OB?

To test hypotheses and develop theories about the relationships between variables.

How does the scientific method help in OB?

It allows researchers to systematically gather data and validate theories about organizational behavior.

What is the relationship between sleep and performance according to OB research?

Sleep is an independent variable that can influence performance, the dependent variable.

What is the significance of using existing cases in OB research?

To analyze past situations and derive insights that can inform current practices.

What is a critical perspective in OB research?

Differentiating effective research from poorly designed studies and incorrect assumptions.

What is the impact of national culture on OB?

It is a significant contingency variable that influences behavior in organizational settings.

What does it mean when we say 'It depends' in OB?

It reflects the idea that outcomes in organizational behavior are contingent on various factors.

What is validity in research?

The extent to which a study accurately measures what it intends to measure.

What is an example of validity in sleep research?

Scores on a self-report sleep quality questionnaire should correlate highly with other sleep measures like physiological data.

What is the purpose of discriminant validity in job satisfaction research?

To ensure that job satisfaction is not confused with affect/mood, general life satisfaction, or personality.

What are the three main types of research designs?

Observational, Correlational, and Experimental.

What characterizes observational research?

The researcher observes behavior without influencing it.

What is the Hawthorne Effect?

When research subjects change their behavior because they are being studied.

What does correlational research measure?

It measures variables and examines relationships without introducing changes.

What is a key limitation of correlational research?

Correlation does not imply causation.

What are the three criteria to establish causation?

1. Correlation, 2. Temporality, 3. Contingency.

What is the role of random assignment in experimental research?

To ensure that participants are randomly chosen for treatment or control groups.

What is internal validity?

The extent to which changes in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable.

What is external validity?

The extent to which study results can be generalized to other samples and settings.

What is the difference between experimental and observational techniques?

Experimental techniques manipulate variables under controlled conditions, while observational techniques do not.

What is a quasi-experiment?

A study where random assignment to treatment and control groups is not possible.

What is the significance of combining research techniques?

To enhance both internal and external validity.

What is the relationship between correlation and causation?

Correlation indicates a relationship, but does not prove that one variable causes changes in another.

What is a lurking variable?

A third variable that may influence both the independent and dependent variables, leading to spurious correlations.

What is the importance of critical thinking in research?

To avoid misconceptions and ensure scientific rigor in interpreting data.

What is the main focus of organizational behavior research?

To understand how individuals and groups behave within organizations.

What is an example of a correlational research hypothesis?

Receiving praise is associated with higher productivity.

What is the difference between internal and external validity?

Internal validity pertains to the accuracy of the study's findings, while external validity pertains to the generalizability of those findings.

What is the purpose of using surveys in correlational research?

To collect data on variables of interest without manipulating the environment.

What is the impact of the Hawthorne Effect on research outcomes?

It can lead to biased results as subjects may alter their behavior due to awareness of being observed.

What are the advantages of experimental research?

It allows for the establishment of causality through controlled manipulation of variables.

What does it mean when a study has high internal validity?

It indicates that the study's design effectively isolates the effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

What is a common misconception about correlation?

That correlation implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship between two variables.