Ex post facto research (causal comparative) by Dr. Neha Deo

Ex-post facto or causal comparative is one of the most important methods in the education, psychology & medical field.It is very close to the experimental method but it has certain limitations.
This method & it's details are discussed in this presentation.

1. Method of Educational Research Ex post facto research (Causal comparative .) Dr. Neha Deo

2. Ex-post facto- causal comparative-meaning Ex post facto= After the Facts The cause of the incidence is found out after the incidence has happened.

3. Ex-post factoor causal comparative meaning An  ex post facto research  design is a method in which groups with qualities that already exist are compared on some dependent variable. Although differing groups are analyzed and compared in regards to independent and dependent variables it is not a true experiment because it lacks, control, manipulation of dependent variable & random assignment.

4. Causal comparative-meaning Here researcher attempts not only WHAT a phenomenon is like but HOW & WHY it occurs or aims to COMPARE the LIKENESS & DIFFERENCES among phenomenon to discover what factors or circumstances seem to accompany or contribute to the occurrences of certain events, conditions or practices.

5. Causal comparative-meaning Researcher attempts to determine the cause or consequences of differences that already exist between or among groups of individuals.

6. Causal Comparative-John Stuart Mill’s principle Causal comparative method is based on John Stuart Mill’s Method of agreement. - If two or more instances of the phenomenon under investigation have only one circumstance in common, the circumstance in which alone all the instances agree, is the cause (or effect) of the given phenomenon. —    Mill, John Stuart (1843).   A system of Logic,Vol.1. John W. Parker. p.  454.

7. Causal Comparative-John Stuart Mill’s principle Causal comparative method is based on John Stuart Mill’s Method of difference .- If an instance in which the phenomenon under investigation occurs, and an instance in which it does not occur, have every circumstance save one in common, that one occurring only in the former; the circumstance in which alone the two instances differ, is the effect, or cause, or an indispensable part of the cause, of the phenomenon. —    Mill, John Stuart (1843).   A system of Logic, Vol.1 John W. Parker. p.455

8. Characteristics of Causal comparative Causal comparative method is similar to experimental study. It is Useful when manipulation of certain variables is not possible. Widely used in the medical field.

9. Limitations In causal comparative study- There is Lack of Control It is difficult to identify relevant factors causing any process. A single critical factor may not be the reason/ cause in different situations. It is sometimes difficult to find out which is the reason & which is the cause.

10. Limitations of causal comparative method Classification of groups into dichotomous groups is difficult. Researcher does not have same control over the selection of subjects alike in all respects except for their exposure to one variable. It is less scientific as compared to experimental research.

11. Steps of causal comparative method

12. A few examples from the Education field for causal comparative research ---- Effect of corporal punishment on students’ emotional development. Effect of judgmental feedback on students’ personality. Effect of mobile gaming on the study habits of school children. Examples of ex-post facto research

13. Different methods. From Survey to experimental research, t he research becomes more & m ore scientific. Experimental Research is the most scientific method of all the methods. Descriptive study-Evaluation studies-Survey Descriptive study-Assessment survey Ex-post facto/causal comparative Experimental Co-relational

14. References Best,J.W .& Kahn ,J.V.(2010). Research in Education ( Tenth Edition). New Delhi:PHI Learning . https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_mill.