An investigator is interested in the relation between role perception and social values, which is the independent variable, the dependent variable. Whatever judgment you have made, can you justifiably reverse the variables? Do you think a research project designed to investigate this problem would be basically experimental or ex post facto? Can the investigator do two researches, one experimental and one ex post facto, both designed to test the same hypothesis? If your answer to previous one was yes, will the variables of the two problems be the same? Assuming that the relation in both researches were significant, will the conclusions be substantially the same?

 This is a multi-part conceptual question about the nature of variables and research design. Let’s break it down and address each part clearly and analytically:

Q1: An investigator is interested in the relation between role perception and social values. Which is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable?

Answer:

  • The independent variable (IV) is typically the presumed cause.
  • The dependent variable (DV) is the presumed effect.

In this case, if the investigator wants to see how role perception influences social values, then:

  • Independent Variable (IV): Role perception
  • Dependent Variable (DV): Social values

However, it could be framed the other way — perhaps one’s social values influence how they perceive roles (e.g., leadership, gender roles, etc.).

Q2: Whatever judgment you have made, can you justifiably reverse the variables?

Answer:
Yes, you can justifiably reverse the variables depending on the theoretical framework. For example:

  • A sociologist might argue that social values shape role perceptions (e.g., if someone values equality, they may perceive all roles as equal).
  • A psychologist might argue that how one perceives roles shapes the development or expression of social values.

So the direction of influence depends on what you are trying to explain.

Q3: Would a research project designed to investigate this problem be basically experimental or ex post facto?

Answer:
Most likely, it would be ex post facto, because:

  • Social values and role perception are internal psychological constructs.
  • They are not easily or ethically manipulated.
  • The study would likely involve measuring both variables through surveys or psychometric instruments and analyzing the relationship.

Hence, it fits non-experimental, correlational (ex post facto) research.

Q4: Can the investigator do two researches — one experimental and one ex post facto — both designed to test the same hypothesis?

Answer:
Yes, in theory, the investigator could conduct both:

  • An ex post facto study to measure naturally existing relationships.
  • An experimental study by manipulating one variable (e.g., expose participants to different role perceptions through a stimulus or training) and measure subsequent changes in social values.

However, this is only feasible if one of the variables can be ethically and practically manipulated.

Q5: Will the variables of the two problems be the same?

Answer:

  • Conceptually, yes: The same constructs (role perception and social values) are being studied.
  • But in the experimental study, one becomes actively manipulated (IV), while the other is measured as outcome (DV).
  • In the ex post facto study, both are measured without manipulation.

So while the variables remain the same, their treatment in design differs.

Q6: Assuming that the relation in both researches was significant, will the conclusions be substantially the same?

Answer:
Not necessarily.

  • In the ex post facto study, a significant relationship suggests association, not causation.
  • In the experimental study, a significant result implies causation (with higher internal validity) due to manipulation and control.

So:

  • The findings may align, but
  • The strength of the conclusions differs:
    • Ex post facto: "There is a relationship."
    • Experimental: "Role perception causes changes in social values" (if role perception was manipulated).

Summary Table:

Question

Answer

IV & DV

IV: Role perception, DV: Social values (can be reversed based on theory)

Reversibility

Yes, variables can be justifiably reversed

Research Type

Primarily ex post facto

Two Studies Possible?

Yes — one ex post facto, one experimental

Same Variables?

Yes (same constructs, different roles)

Same Conclusions?

No — association in ex post facto, causation in experimental

Let me know if you'd like a visual or flowchart to explain this to students.

 

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