- Concepts: A concept is an abstract idea or notion that represents a class or category of things. For example, "happiness" is a concept that can be studied by researchers in psychology or sociology. Concepts are often used to create theories or frameworks for understanding a particular phenomenon.
- Constructs: A construct is a concept that has been operationalized, or turned into a measurable variable. For example, researchers might operationalize the concept of "happiness" as a scale that measures an individual's level of satisfaction with their life. Constructs are used in research to operationalize abstract concepts and make them measurable.
- Variables: A variable is a characteristic or attribute that can vary or change within a study. There are different types of variables, including independent variables (which are manipulated by the researcher), dependent variables (which are measured to see if they change in response to the independent variable), and confounding variables (which can affect the relationship between the independent and dependent variables).
- Definitions: Clear and precise definitions of key terms and concepts are important in research because they help ensure that the study is conducted in a consistent and reproducible way. Researchers should define all key terms and concepts at the beginning of a study and use these definitions consistently throughout the research process.
Here are some references that provide more information on these concepts:
"Concepts, Constructs, and Variables" from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center:
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/concepts-constructs-variables/
"Concepts and Constructs" from the University of South Carolina:
https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/psychology/faculty/pi_documents/concepts%20and%20constructs.pdf
"Defining Key Terms" from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center:
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/defining-key-terms/
Become a Research Pro
Thinking like a researcher involves understanding and applying key concepts and methods in the research process. This includes understanding the difference between concepts and constructs, identifying and defining variables, and understanding the importance of clear definitions in research.
