Causal-Comparative Design
A causal-comparative design is a research design that seeks to find relationships between independent and dependent variables after an action or event has already occurred. The researcher's goal is to determine whether the independent variable affected the outcome, or dependent variable, by comparing two or more groups of individuals. There are similarities and differences between causal-comparative research, also referred to as ex post facto research, and both correlational and experimental research. This entry discusses these differences, as well as the benefits, process, limitations, and criticism of this type of research design. To demonstrate how to use causal-comparative research, examples in education are presented.
Many similarities exist between causal-comparative research and correlational research. Both methods are useful when experimental research has been deemed ...
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Reader's Guide
Descriptive Statistics
Distributions
Graphical Displays of Data
Hypothesis Testing
Important Publications
Inferential Statistics
Item Response Theory
Mathematical Concepts
Measurement Concepts
Organizations
Publishing
Qualitative Research
Reliability of Scores
Research Design Concepts
Research Designs
Research Ethics
Research Process
Research Validity Issues
Sampling
Scaling
Software Applications
Statistical Assumptions
Statistical Concepts
Statistical Procedures
Statistical Tests
Theories, Laws, and Principles
Types of Variables
Validity of Scores
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