Research Method - Ex Post Facto Research

Simple ex - post facto design, definition, strategies, types of ex - post facto research design, importance of ex - post facto research

1. Ex-post facto research Made by Psychologist Stella

2. Ex post Facto research Sometimes it is unethical or impossible to manipulate certain variables to investigate their potential influence on the dependent variable. – Example: How people react after terrorist attack. Experimentation is not feasible! Solution? Ex Post Facto Design, “Ex post Facto” means after the fact. This method identifies the previous events and present conditions , then collects data to investigate a possible relationship between these factors and subsequent behaviors . Correlational designs Similar: Involves looking at existing circumstances

3. Ex post Facto research Experimental designs – Similar : It has identifiable dependent and independent variables – Difference: No direct manipulation of independent variables Problem – No way of controlling confounding variables and alternative explanations, thus, no firm conclusions, but uses data analysis to pursue truth. – Medicine uses this method widely.

4. Simple Ex Post Facto Design Similar to experimental design, The only difference is one of timing . – The treatment occurred a long time ago before the study , so we call it experiment . – Researcher hasn’t been responsible for imposing it.

5. Simple Ex Post Facto Design This type of design is common for studying – The environmental effects such as child abuse, malnutrition, television viewing habit, etc. – Potential influences of pre-existing (hereditary ) characteristics e.g. mental illness, gender etc. Can we draw firm conclusions? – The most we can conclude is that certain behaviors are associated with the conditions. – Medicine uses this method widely. – Other confounding variables might be involved, then no firm conclusion.

6. Definition The danger of the post hoc assumption is that it can, and often does, leads to erroneous and misleading interpretations of research data, the effect being particularly serious when the scientist has little or no control over time and independent variables. Kerlinger (1964) defined ex-post facto research as: that research in which the independent variable or variables have already occurred and in which the researcher starts with the observation of a dependent variable or variables . He then studies the independent variables in retrospect for their possible relations to, and effects on, the dependent variable or variables (p. 360).

7. Strategies There is however some strategies that have been proposed to ensure that the ex post facto research is more credible : Matching is done on a subject to subject basis so as to create matched pairs. The matching criteria will be based on criteria that enables the researcher to class similar subjects together . The problem with matching strategies is that the researcher works with the assumption that the factors he has selected are the most appropriate and will work with the dependent variable. Use of homogeneous groups: selecting subject that are homogenous gives the researcher some degree of control over the variable and the ability to get the desired results .  If a researcher needs to determine the cause of depression in specific community , then he can specifically look for similar community in that area.

8. Strategies Building extra venous variables: This involves selecting subject who specifically fit the type of data that the researcher needs . If for instance the researcher identifies social economic status as a potential variable he will select to work with a sample that involve student from low socio economic status. Analysis of covariance is another strategy that can be used ( Ary , & Sorensen, 2009). It is technique that is used to equate groups depending on specified variable . Partial correlations if the fourth strategy that can be used to acquire some degree of control over the variable in an ex post facto research. It involves forming some form of relations and similarity between two variables used for the study.

9. Types of ex post Facto research design There are two main types of ex post facto research design. The first is the proactive design . The subjects of this designed are grouped depending on an already pre existing independent variable for example subject studies on scholarship and subjects privately pays for his or her studies. Once the pre existing groups are determined measurements are made based on dependent variable such as level of confidence, class performance etc.  The second category is the retroactive ex post fact where the researcher seeks that causes of a pre existing situation the cause in this case will be the independent variable whereas the pre-existing situation is the dependent variable.

10. Importance of Ex post facto research If properly implemented ex post facto research can help researchers to clear the air on some research studies whose findings are inconclusive . This is especially so for results gathered through experimental studies. By using the suggested partial control strategies and determining alternative hypothesis a researcher who had first used the experimental research may find more conclusive findings if he uses ex post facto research ( Ary , & Sorensen, 2009).

11. Importance of Ex post facto research Ex post facto research is also important when conducting research studies that involve human beings as the subjects . Many researches involving human subjects are prone to ethical issues. This is especially so if the research involves some form of manipulation that will negatively affect the participants . In such a situation the use of ex post facto research will focus on cause and effect relations rather than intrusive manipulations that may cross the ethical boundaries of using human participants as subjects ( Ary , & Sorensen, 2009).

12. Importance of Ex post facto research Ex post facto research is important in verifying already made conclusions on various researches . This form of research design can therefore be used to authenticate the conclusions sand findings made in an in other experimental studies . If the findings coincide then the findings are deemed to be true. However, if the findings contradict, then it create room for more research studies so as to finding the ultimate truths .

13. Reference Ary , D. & Sorensen, C. (2009). Introduction to research in education. Cengage learning. Kerlinger , F. (2010). Foundations of Behavioral Research . New Delhi: Prism International.

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