Terms Theory

Definitions Systematic explanation for social observations. As a theory systematically pulls together more generalizations, it becomes stronger to make better predictions. Broad generalizations bundled together based on a set of axioms or assumptions about a political phenomena. Major function is to explain and predict political phenomena. A specific, testable statement of a relationship, derived from a theory. "If this theory is correct, we will find this type of relationship between these phenomena." Predicts the research outcome. A statement that indicates there is no relationship between the variables in a hypothesis. We test the null hypothesis rather than the hypothesis when we use statistical analysis. Moves from particular cases to generalizations. Moves from general to specific. Anything that when measured can produce two or more different values. Variable that reflects a quantity or amount. A variable is quantitative if its value or categories consist of numbers and if differences between its categories can be expressed numerically.

Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis

Induction Deduction Variable

Quantitative Variable Qualitative Variable

Variable that reflects a quality or category. Variables that have discrete categories, usually designated by words or labels, and non-numerical differences between categories. Variable that is influenced or changed by the independent variable and of primary interest in study. Research question/hypothesis describes, explains, or predicts changes in it. Variable that is used to explain a dependent variable. Manipulation or variation of this variable(s) is the cause of change in the dependent

Dependent Variable

Independent

Variable

variable. A variable related to both the independent and dependent variables that may enhance or hide the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. Antecedent and intervening are both examples of confounding variables. Must be controlled. A confounding variable included in an analysis to determine whether it affects the relationship between two other variables. Variable that occurs between the independent variable and the dependent variable and affects the relationship between them. Variable that occurs prior to all variables and that may affect other independent variables. Association, dependence, or covariance of the values of one variable with the values of another. Based on single entity rather than on collections of entities. Examples: Individual people responding to a survey, books, photos, newspapers. Based on groups or units put together. Examples: Groups (agency, corporation, gang, organization), Geographical units (town, census tract, state), Social interactions (dyadic relations, divorces, arrests).

Confounding Variable Control Variable Intervening Variable Antecedent Variable Relationship

Individual Data Aggregate Data