Multiple Correlation and Regression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Multiple Correlation and Regression - Essay Example There are two variables in research: the independent and the dependent variables. If a change is one variable does not cause a subsequent change in the other, then the first is an independent variable. In the event that one causes a change in the other then the former is a dependent variable (Creswell, 2003). In this study the independent variable was psychological problems while the dependent variable was normal development. Measuring variables is very important so that it can be understood how the different variables affect each other. There are complex methods that may be used in measuring methods but all these depend on the research design adopted (Kothari, 2006). In this study, the variables were put into categories where they were measured against each other. For example the children were put into categories that match the various variables that were being surveyed. Depending on the criteria of selection each student was either categorized as falling in a family experiencing domestic violence or not. Experimental designs have true scientific designs that require the presence of a hypothesis, two groups: the control group and the treatment group and a larger sample size in order to avoid accidental differences from affecting the study. A quasi experiment on the other hand is not a true experiment and may involve some of the above factors but not at all times (Goddard & Melville, 2007). The study was not a true experiment and thus followed the quasi experimental design. The research instruments that were used in the study included surveys. These were conducted by selecting an appropriate sample size that was representative of the whole population. Appropriate methods of sampling were used and this increased the validity of the study as it was representative of the whole population. The survey instruments were reliable because they were designed in such a way that errors were minimized and