PS295 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Theoretical Definition, Operational Definition, Construct Validity
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Informally: the characteristics that we study, recall that hypothesis involve statements about how two characteristics (variables) go together, also, sometimes called factors, dimensions, qualities, attributes. Definition: anything that can take on different values or levels across a set of objects, must have at least 2 different values or levels; otherwise it is a constant. Set of objects: example: humans (physical: height, weight, hair colour, heart rate; psychological: opinions, personality traits, reasoning ability, example: schools (size, quality of education, disciplinary practices) Variables and levels of variables: every variable has at least two different levels . The study was conducted in either a hot room or room at normal temperature. The study included 21 male and 23 female participants. Qualitative (also nominal, categorial: levels differ in terms of quality or type, not in the amount of something. Quantitative: levels differ in terms of the quantity or amount of something, can place in levels in order, from less to more
