Causal-Comparative

Research Overview
(Ex post facto Research
Non-experimental research)
Causal-Comparative Research
The aim of causal-comparative research
is to determine the cause of existing
differences among groups.
Whereas correlational research involves
collecting data on TWO or more variables
on ONE group, causal comparative research
involves the collection of data on ONE
independent variables for TWO or more
groups.
Causal-Comparative Research is
Differentiated from
Experimental Reserarch
In an experiment, the independent
variable is manipulated by the
researcher.
In causal comparative research the
independent has already occurred.
Examples of independent variables include
socioeconomic status, pre-school history,
number of siblings, and so on.
Causal-Comparative Designs:
Similarities to Experimental
Designs
Purpose
Trying to determine cause-effect
relation between variables
Designs used
Single-factor
Two-factor
Multi-factor
Analysis of data
Causal-Comparative Designs vs
Experimental Designs
Start with effect, then seek causes
(retrospective)
Less often start with cause (prospective)
No manipulation of variables
Cannot be manipulated (SES, race, sex)
Should not be manipulated (# cigarettes
smoked/day)
Were not manipulated (method of reading
instruction)
Causal-Comparative Designs vs
Experimental Designs
Assignment of subjects to groups
In experimental, assignment MUST be
random
In causal-comparative, assignment is based
on preexisting characteristics
Determination of cause is not as robust
It is more that of a relationship, with a
suggestion of cause

Causal Comparative Research
Groups
are classified according to common
preexisting characteristic, and
compared on some other measure
There is NO
intervention,
manipulation, or
random assignment
Example: What causes lung
cancer?
Finding: People with lung cancer smoke
more than people without lung cancer.
There are no other differences in
lifestyle characteristics between the
groups.
Conclusion: Smoking is a possible cause
of lung cancer.
Caution: A third factor? Proper
matching?
Value of Causal
Comparative Research
Uncovers relationships to be
investigated experimentally.
Used to establish cause-effect when
experimental design not possible.
Less expensive and time consuming than
experimental research.
Note: if you conduct a quantitative
research study it most likely will be a
causal-comparative study.
Two Variations of Causal
Comparative Studies
IV: presumed cause
Groups formed on the basis of how much
TV they watch, and compared on academic
achievement (GPA).
DV: presumed effect
Groups formed on the basis of gender, and
compared on strength of career
aspirations.
Two Variations (cont.)
IV: presumed effect
Groups formed on the basis of whether they
dropped out of high school, and compared on
lack of mentoring relationship.
DV: presumed cause
Groups formed on the basis of difficulty in
learning to read, and compared on time parent
spent reading to child.
Strengthening Causal
Comparative Designs
Strong inference (theory).
Time sequence (presumed cause precedes
presumed effect).
Incorporate other, possible, causes in the
design (measure common antecedents) .
Use designs that control for extraneous
causes:
matched group design
Extreme groups design
Statistical control (Analysis of Covariance)
Wide Variety of Statistical
Procedures
t tests, ANOVA, ANCOVA when two or more
groups are being compared.
Regression analysis when there are multiple
independent variables.
MANOVA, and multivariate regression, when
there are multiple dependent variables.
Path analysis and structural equation modeling
when the theoretical causal paths are being
investigated.

The END