The student must then post 1 reply to another students post. The reply must summarize the students findings and indicate areas of agreement, disagreement, and improvement. It must be supported with scholarly citations from the textbook in the latest APA format and a corresponding list of references, including any additional scholarly sources. The textbook remains the only required source, and citations are only necessary if you are referencing specific material. Additional scholarly sources are optional, not required. The minimum word count for the 8 short-answer discussion replies is 100 words to ensure meaningful engagement.
Ricardo Pena
BUSI820: Quantitative Research Methods
May 24, 2026
Variables, Research Questions and Data Coding
D1.1. Compare the terms active independent variable and attribute independent variable. What are the similarities and differences?
The terms active independent variable and attribute independent variable are both variables (an item being considered) researchers assign to their participants. They are similar in that they both help with categorically assigning participants to a specific group within a research (Morgan et al., 2025). Where they differ are that some may be given or assigned (active), such as an individual and the group they may be assigned during the research study, while other groupings are more static (attributed) and are less likely to change during the research period (race, race, gender) as less likely to change (Morgan et al., 2025, p. 2).
D1.2. What kind of independent variable (active or attribute) is necessary to infer cause? Can one always infer cause from this type of independent variable? If so, why? If not, when can one infer cause, and when might causal inferences be more questionable?
Morgan et al. (2025, p. 3) posit that active independent variables are the only variable able to infer cause and effect within the research. The authors assert that an attribute independent variable alone has no merit on causation to the dependent variable being researched. However, when active is the main focal point, those studies that are quasi-experimental in nature invite the biggest questions about the validity of data (Morgan et al., 2025, p. 3).
D1.3. What is the difference between the independent variable and the dependent variable?
Morgan et al. (2025) in simple terms, assert that the independent variables are the cause being researched, while a dependent variable is the subject being measured or observed for an effect. For example, if a researcher believes a specific treatment will create a determined outcome, they may have a treatment group and a control group as their active independent variable to verify their assumption on the dependent variable (Morgan et al., 2025, p. 4).
D1.4. Compare and contrast associational, difference, and descriptive types of research questions.
Associational questions are those that seek to answer if two or more groups are related, difference seek to answer how two or more groups are different, and descriptive are types that provide informational value, but have no statistical value (Morgan et al., 2025, p. 5).
D1.5. Write a research question and a corresponding hypothesis regarding variables of interest to you but not in the HSB dataset. Is it an associational, difference, or descriptive question?
Hypothesis: Regular manager engagement with software developers can increase employee retention rates.
Question: What is the retention rate of software developers whose manager meets with them on a bi-weekly cadence, versus a manager who does not meet with their employees on a regular cadence?
Question Type: This question is a difference-type question and aims to quantify employee retention rates between two different manager engagement methods.
D1.6. Using one or more of the following HSB variables: religion, mosaic pattern test, and visualization score
D1.6.a. Write an associational question.
Is there a relationship between mosaic pattern scores and an individuals stated religious preference?
D1.6.b. Write a difference question.
Do individuals with different religions differ in their visualization score?
D1.6.c. Write a descriptive question.
What is the average mosaic pattern score?
References
Morgan, G. A., Barrett, K. C., Leech, N. L., & Gloeckner, G. W. (2025). IBM SPSS for introductory statistics use and interpretation. Routledge.
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