CAUSAL –

COMPARATIVE
RESEARCH
Causal–Comparative
This type of research looks to
uncover a cause and effect relationship.
This research is not conducted between the
two groups on each other. It identifies,
specifically, how the different groups are
affected by the same circumstance and it
involves “comparison”.
Causal-Comparative has
at least two diff. groups
Dependent Variable -A dependent
variable is what you measure in the experiment
and what is affected during the experiment. It
responds to the dependent variable
Independent Variable - a variable
whose variation does not depend on that of
another.
Basic Characteristics:
-The researcher attempts to determine
the cause , or reason for pre existing difference
in groups of individual.
-It attempts to identify cause and effect
relationships
-Involves in making a comparison
Basic Characteristics:
-Involve two or more variables
-Cannot manipulate the independent
variable
-Less costly and time consuming
-Individuals are not randomly selected and
assigned to two or more groups.
Example:
The effect of gender on algebra
achievement
Dependent- Algebra Achievement
Independent- Gender
The effect of part-time employment on
the achievement of high school students
Dependent- Achievement of high school
students
Independent- Part time employment
Ty p e s
Three types of causal comparative
research:
Exploration of Effects
Exploration of Causes
Exploration of Consequences
R e s e a r c h D e s i g n : Ty p e s
Retrospective causal-comparative research-
studies start with effects and investigate causes

Ex. A researcher interested in the benefits of an

exercise program on reducing stress may select a
group of people who had enrolled in a stress
reduction exercise class and those who had not
and compares their stress levels
R e s e a r c h D e s i g n : Ty p e s
Prospective causal-comparative
research- studies start with causes and
investigate effects

Ex. A researcher may hypothesize that those

children that attend dance classes during
elementary school have higher self esteem
when in middle school
Steps taken on conducting
the research

1. Problem
2. Sample
3. Design and Procedure
4. Data Analysis
Steps taken on conducting
the research
Example: The Relationship between Years of
Experience and Job Satisfaction
Hypothesis:
Null- Teachers with a high level of experience will be
equally satisfied with their jobs when compared to
teachers with low levels of experience
Alternative- Teachers with a high level of experience
will be more satisfied with their jobs than teachers
with low levels of experience
Steps taken on conducting
the research
Example: The Relationship between Years of
Experience and Job Satisfaction
Variables:
Dependent- Job satisfaction
Independent- Years of experience
Two levels- High and Low
Steps taken on conducting
the research
Example: The Relationship between Years of
Experience and Job Satisfaction
Sample:
Two groups sampled, one for each level of the
independent variable
-High experience
-Low experience
Steps taken on conducting
the research
Example: The Relationship between Years of
Experience and Job Satisfaction
Design and Procedure:
Select two groups that differ on some
independent variable
One group possesses some characteristic that
the other does not
Each group possesses the characteristic but in
differing amount
Steps taken on conducting
the research
Example: The Relationship between Years of
Experience and Job Satisfaction
Design and Procedure:
The independent variable must be clearly
operationally defined
Collect background information on subjects to
determine the equality of groups
Compare groups on the dependent variable
Steps taken on conducting
the research
Example: The Relationship between Years of
Experience and Job Satisfaction
Matching:
Each subject in the high experience group is
matched with a subject with a low experience group
along the variable of class size
Steps taken on conducting
the research
Example: The Relationship between Years of
Experience and Job Satisfaction
Matching:
So each high experience teacher who teaches
a large class is matched with a low experience
teacher who teaches a large class
And, each high experience teacher who
teaches a small class is matched with a low
experience teacher who teaches a small class
Steps taken on conducting
the research
Example: The Relationship between Years of
Experience and Job Satisfaction
Data Analysis:
Mean- Job satisfaction ratings for high experience and
low experience subjects are compared using t-test,
ANOVA or other appropriate statistical test.