The Cross-Lagged Research Approach: Description and Illustration

This paper examines the appropriateness of the cross-lagged technique for investigating causal relations where a true experimental design is not present. For empirical testing purposes, the cross-lagged technique is applied to the expectancy motivation models and performance models of Lawler (1973). These models are chosen because their theoretical base implies a strong degree of causation. They also provide the necessary conditions for the technique's application, particularly synchronicity and stationarity. Using relatively small samples, the results indicate little significant difference between cross-lagged correlations of expectancy motivation, effort, and role perception measures. Since the cross-lagged technique is a passive correlation technique, it is not a positive test of correlation. Rather, it should be considered as an exploratory method to uncover simple causal relations between uncontrolled variables.