Question

I need definitions and concepts for these words content analysis, cost benefit analysis, control variables, continous and discrete variables, direct observable, indirect observable, construct, double blind experiment,define experiment, double-barreled, ethical consideration, equal probability of selection method

Answer 1

content analysis:

Analysis of the manifest and latent content of a body of communicated material (such as a book or film) through a classification, tabulation, and evaluation of its key symbols and themes in order to ascertain its meaning and probable effect.

cost benefit analysis (CBA)

Process of quantifying costs and benefits of a decision, program, or project (over a certain period), and those of its alternatives (within the same period), in order to have a single scale of comparison for unbiased evaluation. Unlike the present value (PV) method of investment appraisal, CBA estimates the net present value (NPV) of the decision by discounting the investment and returns. Though employed mainly in financial analysis, a CBA is not limited to monetary considerations only. It often includes those environmental and social costs and benefits that can be reasonably quantified.

control variables

A variable that is held constant in order to assess or clarify the relationship between two other variables. Control variable should not be confused with controlled variable, which is an alternative term for independent variable

A control variable is a variable used to ensure that an observed relationship between two other variables is not spurious, an illusion associated with the omission of a variable that relates to the other two. It is used to make non-experimental data more closely approximate the conditions of a controlled experiment, with all other factors held constant except for the variables of primary interest. A control variable either precedes two other variables of interest in causal time ordering, or it “interacts” with the two, in that the relationship between the two variables of primary interest depends on the level of the control variable.

continous and discrete variables

A discrete variable is a variable whose value is obtained by counting.

Examples:     number of students present

                                    number of red marbles in a jar

                                    number of heads when flipping three coins

                                    students’ grade level

Discrete variables are countable in a finite amount of time.

A continuous variable is a variable whose value is obtained by measuring.

Examples:     height of students in class

                        weight of students in class

                        time it takes to get to school

                        distance traveled between classes

Continuous Variables would (literally) take forever to count.

Direct observable

direct Observable is the active acquisition of information from a primary source

direct observable, is the method of one comes to know how the observer is physically present in which type of situation is he present and then this type of observation monitors what takes place.

direct observables usually refers to observing a behavior and knowing exactly what is happening. For example, if I see a pigeon peck at some bread, I have observed it pecking. With direct observation, I cannot assume it is eating, that it is hungry, that it has any intention whatsoever. All I know is that it pecks.

Indirect observable

Characteristics of a person as indicated by answers given in a self-administered questionnaire.

Indirect method of observation involves studies of mechanical recording or the recording by some of the other means like photographic or electronic. Direct observation is relatively more straight forward as compared to the indirect observation.

Construct

to make or form by combining or arranging parts or elements

Concept or 'useful fiction' (which may or may not refer to an objective reality) employed in summarizing multitudes of facts and in formulating explanatory theories. The terms 'average family' and 'organizational culture,' for example, are constructs that encapsulate (and maybe somewhat distort) the activities and behaviors of a few or millions of people. Also called hypothetical construct, logical construct, or theoretical construct. See also constructed knowledge.

double blind experiment-

an experimental procedure in which neither the subjects of the experiment nor thepersons administering the experiment know the critical aspects of the experiment; "a double-blind procedure isused to guard against both experimenter bias and placebo effects

define experiment

Research method for testing different assumptions (hypotheses) by trial and error under conditions constructed and controlled by the researcher. During the experiment, one or more conditions (called independent variables) are allowed to change in an organized manner and the effects of these changes on associated conditions (called dependent variables) is measured, recorded, validated, and analyzed for arriving at a conclusion.

double-barreled

A double-barreled composed of more than two separate issues or topics, but which can only have one answer. A double-barreled question is also known as a compound question or double-direct question.

The double-barreled occur mostly in two very different circumstances: in research and in court.

In research, they are often used by accident. Surveyors often want to explain or clarify certain aspects of their question by adding synonyms or additional information. Although this is often done with good intentions, this tends to make your question confusing and, of course, double-barreled. There's no way of discovering the true intentions of the respondent from the data afterward, which basically renders it useless for analysis.

ethical consideration

Ethical considerations in research are critical. Ethics are the norms or standards for conduct that distinguish between right and wrong. They help to determine the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. Why are ethical considerations so important in research? First, ethical standards prevent against the fabrication or falsifying of data and therefore, promote the pursuit of knowledge and truth which is the primary goal of research. Ethical behavior is also critical for collaborative work because it encourages an environment of trust, accountability, and mutual respect among researchers. This is especially important when considering issues related to data sharing, co-authorship, copyright guidelines, confidentiality, and many other issues. Researchers must also adhere to ethical standards in order for the public to support and believe in the research. The public wants to be assured that researchers followed the appropriate guidelines for issues such as human rights, animal welfare, compliance with the law, conflicts of interest, safety, health standards and so on. The handling of these ethical issues greatly impact the integrity of the research project and can affect whether or not the project receives funding.

equal probability of selection method

Sampling which results in each person having the same chance of being selected is termed equal probability of selection method (EPSEM) sampling

Survey samples can be chosen in many ways, and one common approach is to use a technique that provides an equal chance of selection to all elements in the sampling frame. One type of equal probability sample is a simple random sample, but there are many others.