Question

“Countries that have single member district elections will have fewer political parties than

countries that have proportional representation elections.”

a. In this hypothesis, state the independent variable, and give examples of two values

that it can take on.

b. State the dependent variable, and give two values that it can take on.

c. Propose one intervening variable that could complete the causal path between the

independent variable and the dependent variable. Explain how it might play this role.

d. Harder. Can you think of a possible confounding variable that might explain the

relationship? Explain how it might play this role.

Answer 1

a) Independent variable: Type of election

Two values independent variable can take are: 'single member district elections' and 'proportional representation elections'

b) Dependent variable: Number of  political parties

Two values dependent variable can take are: 'higher number of parties' and 'fewer number of parties.'

c) intervening variable: 'Chances of winning'.

Explanation: single member district elections means only one winner low chances of winning fewer political parties will compete

Hence 'Chances of winning' is intervening variable

d) A confounder is a variable that influences both the dependent variable and independent variable:

Possible confounding variable: Type of democracy in country/ interest of population in politics

Lack of interest of population in politics would mean fewer political parties and also would impact type of election.