Multivariate Correlational Research

What is the research question in the study of law graduates waiting for bar exam results?

Is it beneficial to be optimistic during a waiting period?

What is the independent variable in the optimism study?

Efforts to remain optimistic

What is the dependent variable in the optimism study?

Anxiety

What does the phrase 'correlation does not equal causation' imply?

Just because two variables are correlated does not mean one causes the other.

What are the three requirements to determine causation?

1. Covariance of cause and effect 2. Temporal precedence 3. Internal validity

What does covariance of cause and effect mean?

As one variable changes, the other variable also changes.

What does temporal precedence refer to in causation?

The cause must precede the effect.

What is internal validity?

Nothing else can explain the relationship between the two variables.

What are multivariate designs?

Correlational studies that involve more than two variables.

What are the two approaches to multivariate designs?

1. Longitudinal designs 2. Multiple-regression analyses

What is a longitudinal design?

Measuring the same variable(s) repeatedly at several points in time.

What are cross-sectional correlations?

Correlations measured within the same point in time.

What are autocorrelations?

Each variable related to itself across time.

What are cross-lag correlations?

An earlier measure of one variable associated with a later measure of another variable.

What do cross-lag comparisons help establish?

Temporal precedence.

What is univariate regression?

Predicting one variable (the criterion) using one predictor variable.

How does multiple regression help in research?

It helps rule out confounding variables by controlling for their effects.

What does multiple regression tell us about predictor variables?

How much variance each variable uniquely accounts for.

What is the purpose of controlling for other predictors in multiple regression?

To look for the association between one predictor and the criterion while holding others constant.

What is a confound in an association?

A variable that influences both the predictor and the criterion, potentially skewing results.

How can one test the association in multiple sub-groups?

By holding one variable constant to see the effects of another.

What is the significance of measuring optimism and anxiety at multiple time points?

It allows researchers to observe changes and correlations over time.

What is the relationship between violent TV watching and aggression?

It can be studied as a predictor variable in relation to aggression as a criterion.

What does it mean if both cross-lag correlations are strong?

Temporal precedence may not be established.

What is the main takeaway regarding correlation and causation?

Correlation can suggest a relationship, but it does not confirm causation.

What is the purpose of multiple-regression analyses?

To rule out third variables and increase internal validity.

What does 'controlling for' mean in multiple-regression analyses?

Holding a potential third variable at a constant level while investigating the association between two other variables.

What is a criterion variable?

The variable you're trying to predict, similar to a dependent variable.

What are predictor variables?

The variables that might be causing change in the criterion variable, similar to independent variables.

What does beta (β) represent in multiple regression?

The statistical representation of the relationship between each predictor variable and the criterion variable.

What does a negative beta (β) indicate?

A negative association between the predictor and the criterion variable.

What does a beta of 0 mean?

No association between the predictor and the criterion variable.

What does a p-value less than 0.05 suggest?

There is a statistically significant association that is unlikely to be due to chance.

What is the difference between confounds and mediators?

Confounds indicate a coincidental association, while mediators explain why two variables are associated.

What is a mediator?

A variable that explains the relationship between two other variables, answering the 'why' question.

What are the four steps to establish mediation?

1) Test relationship A to C (path c), 2) Test relationship A to B (path a), 3) Test relationship B to C (path b), 4) Check if c holds after controlling for the mediator (c').

What does it mean if a variable is a confound?

It explains why two variables seem causally related but are not.

What is the relationship between aggression, violent TV, and gender in the context of regression analysis?

Both violent TV watching and gender are predictors of aggression.

What does a positive beta indicate?

A positive association between the predictor and the criterion variable.

What is the significance of the beta statistic in comparing predictors?

It allows comparison of the strength of association between different predictors.

What is desensitization to violence in the context of mediation?

It is a potential mediator explaining the relationship between watching violent TV and aggression.

What does it mean if both predictors in a regression are statistically significant?

It indicates that both predictors have a meaningful relationship with the criterion variable.

How can multiple-regression analyses control for multiple variables?

By including several predictors in the model to rule out multiple potential third variables.

What is the role of temporal precedence in establishing causation?

It questions whether the cause precedes the effect in time.

What is the relationship between optimism and anxiety in the context of regression?

The relationship can be tested while controlling for performance to rule out it as a third variable.

What is the implication of a larger beta value?

It indicates a relatively stronger association for one predictor compared to another.

What does 'average performance' refer to in the context of regression analysis?

It is a variable that may influence the relationship between optimism and anxiety.

What is the significance of the p-value in relation to the beta statistic?

It indicates the statistical significance of the association represented by the beta.

What does it mean if the beta for an association depends on other predictors?

It suggests that the effect size cannot be determined solely based on the beta value.

What does it mean if a variable has a beta of -0.15?

It indicates a negative association with the criterion variable while controlling for other predictors.