The Nature of Home Economics Research from the Empirical Perspective
By Alyce Fanslow
Glossary Terms
Reliability - is the ability of a person or system to perform and maintain its functions in routine circumstances, as well as hostile or unexpected circumstances. Yielding the same or compatible results in different clinical experiments or statistical trials.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability & http://www.thefreedictionary.com/reliability
Validity – refers to how well a method measures the thing that it is supposed to measure. (Faslow, 1989, pg. 15)
Qualitative Variable - Characteristics which vary in quality or value. Categorical variables divides subjects into groups. The color of a ball (e.g., red, green, blue) or the breed of a dog (e.g., collie, shepherd, terrier) would be examples of categorical variables.
http://stattrek.com/statistics/dictionary.aspx?definition=qualitative_variable
Quantitative variables - Characteristics which vary in quantity, amount, or size. Quantitative variables are numerical and have an infinite number of values. They represent a measurable quantity. For example, when we speak of the population of a city, we are talking about the number of people in the city - a measurable attribute of the city. http://stattrek.com/statistics/dictionary.aspx?definition=qualitative_variable
Independent variable – is the variable that is changed in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. “factor that actively manipulates or could be manipulated if desired” (pg. 12) Characteristics which affect or cause the outcome of the experiment but do not measure the results.
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryterminology/a/What-Is-The-Difference-Between-Independent-And-Dependent-Variables.htm
Dependent Variable - A dependent variable is the variable being tested in a scientific experiment. The dependent variable is 'dependent' on the independent variable. Characteristics which measure the effects or results of the experimental treatment or independent variable.
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryterminology/a/What-Is-The-Difference-Between-Independent-And-Dependent-Variables.htm
Conceptual definition – “describes the variable in hypothetical terms” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 12)
Operational definition – “specifies the procedure as to how the variable will be measured” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 12)
Assumptions - “facts or statements that are believed to be true” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 13)
Limitations – “boundaries set by the study” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 13)
Population – the defined members of a sampling group
Invited sample – all people asked to be a part of the sample group
Accepting sample – the people who actually responded to the request
Data-producing sample – the “useable” data collection from the accepting sample
Probability sampling – sampling based on chance
Non-probability sampling – non- random selection sampling
Sampling error – random error because all samples are not identical
Sampling bias – systematic error in a sample, likely due to non-probability sampling
Descriptive statistics – central tendency measures like mean, median, mode with standard deviation
Multiple regression – “attempts to determine which variables predict an outcome” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 17)
Inferential statistics – A procedure used to estimate parameters (characteristics of populations) from statistics (characteristics of samples).
http://www.okstate.edu/ag/agedcm4h/academic/aged5980a/5980/newpage25.htm
Statistical significance - A mathematical technique to measure whether the results of a study are likely to be true. When a statistical test reveals that the probability is rare that a set of observed sample data is attributable to chance alone, this result is labeled as statistically significant.
http://www.okstate.edu/ag/agedcm4h/academic/aged5980a/5980/newpage25.htm
Practical significance - refers to the relevance of the study to the question at hand.
Experimental Research - concerns relationships between variables. Experimental research provides strong evidence for causal interpretations.
http://psych.csufresno.edu/psy144/Content/Design/Types/experimental.html
Methodology of Empirical Inquiry
Quotes
“Any limitations placed on the study limit the degree to which the findings can be generalized. Generally, researchers select a sample of a given age in a particular city, state, or region. Hence, when conclusions are drawn relative to the study, findings can only be summarized for the age group and area studied.” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 13)
Understanding the implemented limitations set on a study is important to acknowledge when reading a study.
“so what?” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 17)
I find this to be a difficult question to formulate. I know that I pieces of work but am never sure, when it is the appropriate time or situation to ask it.
Comments
This article was a much more analytical look at the empirical form of research that has the author breaking down the varying aspects and details of how this method is done and all the changes or challenges that can occur. Definitely gives a more in-depth look at this form.
References
Fanslow, A. M. (1989). The nature of home economics research from the empirical perspective. In F. H.Hultgren & D. L. Coomer (Eds.), Alternate modes of inquiry in home economics research, pp. 9 - 23. Yearbook 9, American Home Economics Association. Peoria, IL: Glencoe.
Reliability - is the ability of a person or system to perform and maintain its functions in routine circumstances, as well as hostile or unexpected circumstances. Yielding the same or compatible results in different clinical experiments or statistical trials.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability & http://www.thefreedictionary.com/reliability
Validity – refers to how well a method measures the thing that it is supposed to measure. (Faslow, 1989, pg. 15)
Qualitative Variable - Characteristics which vary in quality or value. Categorical variables divides subjects into groups. The color of a ball (e.g., red, green, blue) or the breed of a dog (e.g., collie, shepherd, terrier) would be examples of categorical variables.
http://stattrek.com/statistics/dictionary.aspx?definition=qualitative_variable
Quantitative variables - Characteristics which vary in quantity, amount, or size. Quantitative variables are numerical and have an infinite number of values. They represent a measurable quantity. For example, when we speak of the population of a city, we are talking about the number of people in the city - a measurable attribute of the city. http://stattrek.com/statistics/dictionary.aspx?definition=qualitative_variable
Independent variable – is the variable that is changed in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. “factor that actively manipulates or could be manipulated if desired” (pg. 12) Characteristics which affect or cause the outcome of the experiment but do not measure the results.
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryterminology/a/What-Is-The-Difference-Between-Independent-And-Dependent-Variables.htm
Dependent Variable - A dependent variable is the variable being tested in a scientific experiment. The dependent variable is 'dependent' on the independent variable. Characteristics which measure the effects or results of the experimental treatment or independent variable.
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryterminology/a/What-Is-The-Difference-Between-Independent-And-Dependent-Variables.htm
Conceptual definition – “describes the variable in hypothetical terms” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 12)
Operational definition – “specifies the procedure as to how the variable will be measured” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 12)
Assumptions - “facts or statements that are believed to be true” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 13)
Limitations – “boundaries set by the study” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 13)
Population – the defined members of a sampling group
Invited sample – all people asked to be a part of the sample group
Accepting sample – the people who actually responded to the request
Data-producing sample – the “useable” data collection from the accepting sample
Probability sampling – sampling based on chance
Non-probability sampling – non- random selection sampling
Sampling error – random error because all samples are not identical
Sampling bias – systematic error in a sample, likely due to non-probability sampling
Descriptive statistics – central tendency measures like mean, median, mode with standard deviation
Multiple regression – “attempts to determine which variables predict an outcome” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 17)
Inferential statistics – A procedure used to estimate parameters (characteristics of populations) from statistics (characteristics of samples).
http://www.okstate.edu/ag/agedcm4h/academic/aged5980a/5980/newpage25.htm
Statistical significance - A mathematical technique to measure whether the results of a study are likely to be true. When a statistical test reveals that the probability is rare that a set of observed sample data is attributable to chance alone, this result is labeled as statistically significant.
http://www.okstate.edu/ag/agedcm4h/academic/aged5980a/5980/newpage25.htm
Practical significance - refers to the relevance of the study to the question at hand.
Experimental Research - concerns relationships between variables. Experimental research provides strong evidence for causal interpretations.
http://psych.csufresno.edu/psy144/Content/Design/Types/experimental.html
Methodology of Empirical Inquiry
- Selection and definition of a problem
- Choosing the sample
- Developing data collection device
- Data collection
- Data Analysis
- Interpretation of data
Quotes
“Any limitations placed on the study limit the degree to which the findings can be generalized. Generally, researchers select a sample of a given age in a particular city, state, or region. Hence, when conclusions are drawn relative to the study, findings can only be summarized for the age group and area studied.” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 13)
Understanding the implemented limitations set on a study is important to acknowledge when reading a study.
“so what?” (Faslow, 1989, pg. 17)
I find this to be a difficult question to formulate. I know that I pieces of work but am never sure, when it is the appropriate time or situation to ask it.
Comments
This article was a much more analytical look at the empirical form of research that has the author breaking down the varying aspects and details of how this method is done and all the changes or challenges that can occur. Definitely gives a more in-depth look at this form.
References
Fanslow, A. M. (1989). The nature of home economics research from the empirical perspective. In F. H.Hultgren & D. L. Coomer (Eds.), Alternate modes of inquiry in home economics research, pp. 9 - 23. Yearbook 9, American Home Economics Association. Peoria, IL: Glencoe.