The VI Writer’s Workshop Session 3: The Vocabulary of Writing

Empirical Study** "Empirical" refers to the use of working hypotheses that are testable using observation or experiment. In this sense of the word, scientific statements are subject to and derived from our experiences or observations. Empirical data are data that are produced by experiment or observation. Taken from Wikipedia on line.

Empirical Study (cont) "empirical" quantities are those computed from observed values, as opposed to those derived from theoretical considerations. Taken from Wikipedia on line.

Hypothesis A tentative conjecture explaining an observation, phenomenon or scientific problem that can be tested by further observation, investigation and/or experimentation. tentative conjecture explaining observation phenomenon scientific problem tested further observation investigation experimentation Taken from Wikipedia on line.

Variable A factor in an empirical study which is measured by taking data. Variables are included in the topic and in the hypothesis. Example: When the reading speed of students who read fully contracted braille increases, their comprehension increases as well.

Peer-reviewed Peer review (also known as refereeing) is the process of subjecting an author's scholarly work, research, or ideas to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the same field. Peer review requires a community of experts in a given (and often narrowly defined) field, who are qualified and able to perform impartial review. Taken from Wikipedia on line.

Operationalize To define an abstract concept in such a way that it can be practically measured. define abstract concept measured To operationalize a concept is to identify those variables in terms of which the phenomenon represented by the concept can be accurately observed.

Bias Going into a study with a determination that things are going to come out the way you want them to. “ Engineering ” the results. Designing implicit prejudice (cultural, ethnic, etc.) into the study by the way the research design is written.

Plagiarism use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work. Considered to be “academic dishonesty” or stealing ideas and effort from another scholar. Taken from Wikipedia on line.