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.