PUBH 475 Week 3: Theory, Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Variables

Flashcards for PUBH 475 Week 3 lecture notes focusing on theory, research questions, and hypotheses.

Theory

A belief system based on observation and suppositions, presenting a systematic view of events or situations by specifying relations among variables to explain and predict events or situations.

Model

A subset of theory, a 'roadmap' that draws on theories to help understand a problem in a certain context.

Explanatory Theory

Used in cross-sectional studies, explains why a problem exists, and searches for factors that contribute to the problem and can be changed.

Causal Theory

Describes how a problem may come to exist, used for longitudinal studies, and spells out concepts that can be translated into messages and strategies.

Interpersonal Level

Health behavior theories that focus on interactions with others; example: Social Cognitive Theory.

Intrapersonal Level

Health behavior theories that focus on the individual; examples: Health Belief Model, Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior, Transtheoretical Stages of Change.

Community Level

Health behavior theories that focus on social systems and mobilization, geographical factors; example: Diffusion of Innovation.

Concept

Something that we think influences the phenomenon of interest; abstract and not measurable yet.

How do we go from a concept to construct?

attach theory

Construct

A factor of a concept attached to a theory; better defined but not super specific yet.

How do we go from a construct to variable?

Operationalize by asking questions and defining them.

Variable

A factor or construct that has been operationalized so that it can be measured directly; the most specific.

Research Question

Interrogative statements that guide our research.

Purpose Statement

Declarative statements that describe the focus of our research, containing IV, DV, and population in that order.

Hypothesis

An educated guess that is anecdotal, empirical, and testable.

Variable in a study

A characteristic or attribute of an individual or an organization that can be measured or observed by the researcher and varies among individuals or organizations studied.

Independent Variable

The predictor, cause of something; it is examined, tested, and/or manipulated.

Dependent Variable

The outcome (Y) that is measured or observed.

Moderator Variable

Affects the strength or direction of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

Mediator Variable

A mediating or intervening variable.

Extraneous Variable

Unpredictable or unmeasured variables that still have an effect.

Null Hypothesis

States that there is no relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

Alternative Hypothesis

States that there is a relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

Nondirectional Hypotheses

Predict a difference between groups on a variable or an association between variables, but with no specification of the direction of association. ex: “There will be a difference in math test scores between students who sleep 8 hours or more and those who sleep less than 8 hours."

Directional Hypotheses

Predict a difference between groups on a variable or an association between variables and specification of what direction the association will be. ex: "Students who sleep 8 hours or more will score higher on math tests than students who sleep less than 8 hours."