Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

ANALYSIS OF QUANTITATIVE DATA

EXAMPLE BOX 3

Summary of the Elaboration Paradigm

Pattern Name Pattern Seen When Comparing Partials to the Original Bivariate Table

Replication Relationship in both partials is same as in bivariate table.

Specification Bivariate relationship is seen only in one of the partial tables.

Interpretation Bivariate relationship weakens greatly or disappears in the partial tables (control

variable is intervening).

Explanation Bivariate relationship weakens greatly or disappears in the partial tables (control

variable is before independent variable).

Suppressor variable No bivariate relationship exists; relationship appears in partial tables only.

EXAMPLES OF ELABORATION PATTERNS

Replication (percentages)

BIVARIATE TABLE PARTIALS

Control =Low Control =High

Low High Low High Low High

Low 85% 15% Low 84% 16% 86% 14%

High 15% 85% High 16% 84% 14% 86%

Interpretation or Explanation (percentages)

BIVARIATE TABLE PARTIALS

Control =Low Control =High

Low High Low High Low High

Low 85% 15% Low 45% 55% 55% 45%

High 15% 85% High 55% 45% 45% 55%

Specification (percentages)

BIVARIATE TABLE PARTIALS

Control =Low Control =High

Low High Low High Low High

Low 85% 85% Low 95% 5% 50% 50%
High 15% 15% High 5% 95% 50% 50%

Suppressor Variable (percentages)

BIVARIATE TABLE PARTIALS

Control =Low Control =High

Low High Low High Low High

Low 54% 46% Low 84% 16% 14% 86%
High 46% 54% High 16% 84% 86% 14%