Concepts and Variables

Method

A strategy or plan to achieve a goal

Components of Methods

A process, a clear plan to get to something, and a task

The role of Empiricism

Believing in facts and information 

• Differentiating between personal experience and empirical evidence = an informed decision

The Iterative Process

A feedback loop involves ideas and choices. Limited time and money

What is the best way to generate/learn new information?

Personal Experience

Shared Knowledge 

Mental Models

Research Process

Null Hypothesis:

A statistical statement that proposes there is no effect, no relationship, or no difference between variables

Heuristics

Everyday thinking mental shortcuts 

Empirical research

A way of gaining knowledge through direct or indirect observation, measurement, and real-world experience rather than through pure theory or belief

Interpretive Research 

A social science framework that seeks to understand social reality through the subjective meanings and experiences

Qualitative research

A scientific method that focuses on gathering and analyzing non-numerical data like words, images, and behaviors through understanding how people experience and make sense of the world.

Quantitative research

A structured method for collecting and analyzing numerical data to find patterns, test hypotheses, and generalize results.

Variable

Something that varies within a population 

Must have at least two possible values: “yes” or “no”

Framing and language are also significant

Concept

Remains abstract without further development 

Operationalization 

The process of turning abstract ideas or concepts into concrete, measurable, and observable variables

Variable types: Categorical

Qualitative

Variable types: Continuous

Quantitative

Variable types:

Categorical & Qualitative

Under categorical, there are two sections: Nominal & ordinal

Nominal 

• without any order 

Ordinal

• With a particular order

Under continuous, there are two sections: Interval & ratio 

• Interval 

  • True meaning of zero (0°F means it’s too cold)

• Ratio

  • Means the absence of something. (0 Pounds on a scale means there’s nothing there)

Nominal variables:

They have no particular order and consist of names (e.g., gender). They are random

Ordinal variables:

A rank order but lack measurable distance between categories (example, very rich; this could be anyone such as Zach or Elon)

Interval variables

 Defined intervals but no true zero point (e.g., temperature). If we have a measurement of something with zero, zero stands for something.

Ratio variables

A true zero point indicates the absence of the variable (e.g., GPA, height). If we have a measurement of zero, it indicates there is no variable