Strange results and implausible correlations in Croucher (2013)

ABSTRACT

This comment addresses inconsistencies in Croucher (2013) that, taken as a whole, suggest that the results presented in the paper are implausible. Specifically, I address how the direction of relationships is opposite that found in the vast majority of work focused on the relationship between contact experiences and threat. Additionally, the magnitude of observed relationships falls well outside those observed in previous studies. Finally, I demonstrate that reported correlations produce impossible relationships between variables, suggesting substantial errors in the presentation of results.

KEYWORDS:

• Integrated Threat Theory
• Intergroup Threat Theory
• intergroup contact
• Islam
• reproducibility

Notes

1 This value is reported as positive for the UK in the table but as negative in the text. I assume this was a misprint in the author's table as the result is presented and interpreted as a negative relationship in the text.