Learning Objective

SLIDE 1

Understand....
The terminology used by professional
researchers employing scientific thinking.
What you need to formulate a solid
research hypothesis.
The need for sound reasoning to enhance
research results.

The Power of PowerPoint - thepopp.com

 Research and Intuition
SLIDE 2

If we ignore supernatural inspiration,

intuition is based on two things: experience
and intelligence. The more experience I have
with you, the more likely I am to encounter
repetition of activities and situations that help
me learn about you. The smarter I am, the
more
I can abstract from those experiences to find
connections and patterns among them.
Jeffrey Bradshow, creator of the
software that searches databases

The Power of PowerPoint - thepopp.com

 Language of Research
SLIDE 3

Several terms are used by researchers to

converse about applied and theoretical
Conceptual
business problems.
Concepts Constructs
schemes

Operational
Models
definitions
Terms used
in research
Theory Variables

Propositions/
Hypotheses

The Power of PowerPoint - thepopp.com

 Language of Research
SLIDE 4

We must attempt to measure concepts in a

clear manner that others can understand. If
concepts are not clearly conceptualized and
measured, we will receive confusing
Clear conceptualization answers.
of concepts
Success
of
Research Shared understanding
of concepts

The Power of PowerPoint - thepopp.com

Job Redesign Constructs and Concepts
 Operational Definitions
SLIDE 6
How can we define the
variable
class level of students?

Freshman < 30 credit hours

Sophomore 30-50 credit hours
Junior 60-89 credit hours
Senior > 90 credit hours
The Power of PowerPoint - thepopp.com
A Variable Is the Property Being Studied
SLIDE 7
Event Act

Variable

Characteristic Trait

Attribute

In practice, the term variable is used as a synonym for the property being studied. In
this context, a variable is a symbol of an event, act, characteristic, trait, or attribute that
can be measured and to which we assign categorical values. The different types of
variables are presented on the following slides.

The Power of PowerPoint - thepopp.com

 Types of Variables
SLIDE 8
Male/Female
Dichotomous
Employed/ Unemployed

Ethnic background
Discrete Educational level
Religious affiliation

Income
Continuous Temperature
Age

For the purposes of data entry and analysis, we assign Variables also take on values representing added
numerical values to a variable based on that variables categories such as demographic variables. All such
properties. Dichotomous variables have only two variables are said to be discrete since only certain
values that reflect the absence or presence of a values are possible. Continuous variables take on
property. values within a given range or, in some cases, an
infinite set.
The Power of PowerPoint - thepopp.com