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Understanding Ex-Post Facto Research

Ex-post facto research examines the relationship between variables that have already been determined or occurred naturally. It attempts to identify cause-and-effect relationships after the fact. Some key characteristics are that it uses control or comparison groups, the independent variable cannot be manipulated, and it focuses on analyzing possible effects and causes. Some examples include studying how weight influences self-esteem or investigating causes of delinquency. While it can be relevant when manipulation is not possible, weaknesses include inability to determine clear relationships between variables and lack of randomization.

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Jhude Joseph
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1K views20 pages

Understanding Ex-Post Facto Research

Ex-post facto research examines the relationship between variables that have already been determined or occurred naturally. It attempts to identify cause-and-effect relationships after the fact. Some key characteristics are that it uses control or comparison groups, the independent variable cannot be manipulated, and it focuses on analyzing possible effects and causes. Some examples include studying how weight influences self-esteem or investigating causes of delinquency. While it can be relevant when manipulation is not possible, weaknesses include inability to determine clear relationships between variables and lack of randomization.

Uploaded by

Jhude Joseph
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

EX-POST

FACTO
RESEARCH
Group 1 of 12 – STEM A
What is Ex-Post
Facto Research?
“
Ex-Post Facto is used to refer to an
experiment in which a researcher, instead of
finding a treatment, examines the effect of a
naturally occurring treatment after it has
occurred. In other words it is a study that
attempts to discover the pre-existing causal
conditions between groups.

- Landman (1988 : 62)


3
WHAT IS EX-POST FACTO RESEARCH?

Definition
● An Ex-Post Facto research means "after the
fact," and translates in Latin to "from a thing
done afterward."
● It is defined as a research method that looks
into how an independent variable (groups with
certain qualities that already exist prior to a
study) affects a dependent variable.
4
WHAT IS EX-POST FACTO RESEARCH?

Definition
● Ex-Post Facto research focuses on how actions
that have already occurred can predict certain
causes.
● It is considered a quasi-experimental type of
study.
● This type of research study tests hypotheses to
locate a cause-and-effect relationship between
the independent and dependent variables.
5
WHAT IS EX-POST FACTO RESEARCH?

Purpose

● Ex-Post Facto research examines past


occurrences in order to understand a current
state.

6
CHARACTERISTICS
OF EX-POST FACTO
RESEARCH
CHARACTERISTICS OF EX-POST FACTO RESEARCH

1. The research has a control or a


comparison group.
2. The behaviour, action, event or the
treatment or the independent variable
of the research cannot be
manipulated or changed.

8
CHARACTERISTICS OF EX-POST FACTO RESEARCH

4. The research focuses on the effects.


5. The research tries to analyse the ‘how’
and ‘what’ aspect of an event.
6. Explores possible effects and causes.

9
EXAMPLES OF
EX-POST FACTO
RESEARXH
WHAT IS EX-POST FACTO RESEARCH?

Example # 1

A researcher is interested in how


weight influences self-esteem levels in
adults.

11
WHAT IS EX-POST FACTO RESEARCH?

Example # 2

Cause of delinquency , let's just say a


researcher looks for answers why children
are involved or commit crimes.

12
STEPS OF
EX-POST FACTO
RESEARXH
STEPS OF EX-POST FACTO RESEARCH

Step1: Determining the problem

Step2: Literature Review

Step3: Formulation of hypothesis

14
STEPS OF EX-POST FACTO RESEARCH

Step4: Designing the approach

Step5: Validity of the research

Step6: Interpretation of the conclusion

15
STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES OF
EX-POST FACTO
RESEARCH
STRENGTHS
✓ Considered as a very relevant method in those behavioral
researches where the variables cannot be manipulated or
altered.
✓ Useful to analyze a cause on the basis of an effect that is
being studied.
✓ It is less time consuming as well as economical.
✓ The opinion of the researcher is relevant to the research.
✓ The examples of such researches can include many
sociological as well as educational variables.

17
WEAKNESSES
o The researcher can not manipulate the independent
variables.
o Access to data that has already been collected can
be incomplete data, inaccurate, or inaccessible at
times.
o It is difficult to interpret or infer relationship between
the independent and dependent variables.
o Principle of randomisation is not applicable.
o The researcher can not directly manipulate the
independent variables.
18
LET US SUM IT UP!
Thank
You!
20

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