Key to minimizing bias and utilizing science?
Systematic, specific observations
Empirical Data
concrete, observable phenomena that is testable
Normative Data
Data based on values or personal philosophies
Case
Each observation we make
What must a case be?
specific
Level of analysis
what does each case represent for each variable?
Individual Level of Analysis
1 person gives 1 variable/response
Aggregate level of Analysis
group of individuals gives 1 variable/response
Ecological Fallacy
When we fail to distinguish levels of analysis.
ie: making observation about individuals based on aggregate data.
Concept
vague or unrefined question that will lead into research
Conceptual Definition
Broad idea of what you’re studying.
What must a conceptual definition include?
- measurable
- Variation of variables
- Specify units of analysis
Operational Definition
What specific measure will be used?
Types of operationalization
- Self-reported
- Questions concerning characteristics of what you’re measuring
Nominal Data
non-mathematical information. Names or values of variable.
Ordinal Data
Logical order to a scale.
Interval Data
Mathematical data where each observation is a real number.
Coding
Taking information and assigning it a category
Codes
number given to a value in the variable
Dummy variable
Coding for nominal data. 0 = not having, 1 = having
Why do we weight certain variables?
to correct for over/under representation of populations in a sample.
