What is an antecedent variable? | An independent variable that precedes other independent variables in time. |
What is an arrow diagram? | A pictorial representation of a researcher's explanatory scheme. |
What is cross-level analysis? | The use of data at one level of aggregation to make inferences at another level of aggregation. |
What is a cross-tabulation? | also called a contingency table, this array displays the joint frequencies and relative frequencies of two categorical (nominal or ordinal) variables |
What is a curvilinear relationship? | when the relationship between independent and dependent variables depends on which interval or range of the independent variable; the relationship may change from positive to negative, vice-versa, or lessen or increase in strength/consistency |
What is a dependent variable? | The phenomenon thought to be influenced, affected, or caused by some other phenomenon. |
What is a direct relationship? | a relationship that goes in a positive direction (ex: rise in per capita GDP and increase in political rights) |
What is a directional hypothesis? | A hypothesis that specifies the expected relationship between two or more variables. |
What is ecological inference? | The process of inferring a relationship between characteristics of individuals based on group or aggregate data. |
What is a hypothesis? | A tentative or provisional or unconfirmed statement that can (in principle) be verified. |
What is an independent variable? | The phenomenon thought to influence, affect or cause some other phenomenon. |
What is an intervening variable? | A variable coming between an independent variable and a dependent variable in an explanatory scheme. |
What is an inverse relationship? | relationship that goes in a negative direction (ex: rise in age and decrease in likelihood of supporting gay marriage) |
What is a line chart? | A popular way to show the relationship between an explanatory variable and an interval-level dependent variable. Values of the explanatory variable are plotted on the x-axis; corresponding values of the dependent variable are plotted on the y-axis. |
What is a linear relationship? | increase in the independent variable correlates with consistent increase or decrease in the dependent variable |
What is a mean comparison table? | a table that shows the mean of a dependent variable for cases that have different values on an independent variable |
What is a negative relationship? | A relationship in which the values of one variable increase as the values of another variable decrease. |
What is a positive relationship? | A relationship in which the values of one variable increase (or decrease) as the values of another variable increase (or decrease). |
What is a relationship (a statistical relationship)? | The association, dependence, or covariance of the values of one variable with the values of another variable. |
What is a tautology? | A hypothesis in which the independent and dependent variables are identical, making it impossible to disconfirm. |
What is a causal mechanism? | An internal link that acts as a go-between or mediator between an independent variable and a dependent variable. Describe how independent variables influence dependent variable. |
What is deductive reasoning? | Starts with a general premises and derives the logical implications of those premises. |
Define deterministic. | Explanations that leave no room for error, no room for exceptions. |
Define inductive reasoning. | Begins with proposing explanations for a specific case, usually based in personal experiences. These are then applied to general category of cases that includes the original case. |
What is a model (in political analysis context)? | Simplified, abstract representation of some larger and more complicated subject. |
What is a null hypothesis? | Hypothesis that asserts that there is no relationship between variables of interest. |
Define probabilistic. | Theories that permit exceptions to the rule and the influence of chance, as opposed to deterministic theories, which do not. |
What is a rational actor? | One who makes thoughtful and deliberate decisions to advance his or her own interests. |
What is a research hypothesis? | A testable statement about the empirical relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable. |
What is a social-psychological actor? | One who makes decisions based on gut feelings rather than thoughtful analysis, unlike a rational actor. |
What is a theory? | General statement about a causal relationship. |