GGR277H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Stipulative Definition, Face Validity, Dependent And Independent Variables
Document Summary
What is a concept? concepts are ideas or mental representations of things they are the building blocks of theory and represent the points around which social research is conducted. A concept can either be independent or a dependent variable, in other words a concept can be presented as a possible cause of a certain aspect of the social world or it can represent something needing an explanation. Why measure? there are three main reasons for the attention given to measurement in quantitative research: Measurement allows for delineation of fine differences between people in terms of the characteristic in question. Measurement provides a consistent device or yardstick for gauging such distinctions. Measurement provides the basis for estimates of the nature and strength of the relationship between concepts. Indicators concepts used in quantitative research are given two types of definition, one is a nominal definition which describes in words what the concept means.
