IS 495 – Glossary

a priori Based on hypotheses or theory rather than experience; deductive.

a posteriori Denoting reasoning from facts to general principles; inductive.

causation Direct or indirect relation of cause to effect, e.g. 1) necessary cause: one without which an effect will not occur, but not in itself enough to bring about an effect; 2) sufficient cause: one that in and of itself is said to produce an effect; 3) permissive cause: that underlying an effect and permitting it to occur.

correlation An association between two, or more than two, variables, of such a nature that a change in one seems to tied or related to a change in another. A correlation among variables does not necessarily mean that they are causally linked.

deductive reasoning Leading from a general law or principle to make a statement about particular instances.

dependent variable The effect for which one looks to find causes. A phenomenon to be explained, the value of which is discovered by an analysis of the role of independent variables.

empirical Factual or known through observation. Propositions or hypotheses may be subject to empirical or factual tests to determine whether observed facts are consistent with what is predicted.

epistemology Refers to the study of how one knows, or how one acquires knowledge.

falsification The effort to prove a hypothesis or theory incorrect in order to exclude it as an explanation.

hypothesis A proposition usually relating two or more variables, but subject to empirical or factual tests.

image Initial view about a field of study; mental map to assist the researcher in determining phenomena that warrant study.

independent variable The primary cause or causes thought to explain the effect one is studying. The factor(s) explaining change in the dependent variable.

inductive reasoning Leading from premises about particular cases to a conclusion that has the character of a general law or principle. Reasoning in which conclusions are drawn from particular instances or facts.

methodology The approach one takes to academic study; modes of research and analysis, as in the use of historical case and comparative case studies, or the use of statistics as in formal hypothesis testing.

normative Relating to, or deriving from, moral or ethical standards.

operationalization Defining variables in a study in measurable terms.

reliability The extent to which an experiment, test, or any measuring procedure yields the same results on repeated trials.

theory A set of interrelated propositions that aim to explain or predict phenomena, thereby attempting to make the world more intelligible; systematic reflection on phenomena, designed to explain them or show how they are related to each other in a meaningful, intelligent pattern.

validity The extent to which an empirical indicator of a phenomenon or concept accurately represents the reality of that phenomenon or concept.