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retrospective sampling

a technique in which participants or cases from the general population are selected for inclusion in experiments or other research based on their previous exposure to a risk factor or the completion of some particular process. Participants are then examined in the present to see if a particular condition or state exists, often in comparison to others who were not exposed to the risk or did not complete the particular process. Compare prospective sampling.

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Psychology term of the day

October 11th 2024

method of difference

method of difference

the second of the five canons of empirical science laid down by John Stuart Mill. It is meant to establish sufficient conditions for a phenomenon. For example, if under one condition, C1, an effect, E1, does not occur, and as C1 is changed to C2 the effect E1 does occur, it may be concluded that C2 is a sufficient cause of E1, and the alternative hypothesis, that C1 causes E1, can be eliminated. Thus, the effect is attributed to the “difference” between conditions C1 and C2. Also called difference canon.