Glossary: Research

Validity

The degree to which a study accurately reflects or assesses the specific concept that the researcher is attempting to measure. A method can be reliable, consistently measuring the same thing, but not valid.

Variable

Any characteristic or trait that can vary from one person to another [race, gender, academic major] or for one person over time [age, political beliefs]. Variables are used to measure, describe, and analyze various aspects of social phenomena, behaviors, attitudes, or attributes.

Variance

A measure of variation within a distribution, determined by averaging the squared deviations from the mean of a distribution.

Variation

The dispersion of data points around the mean of a distribution. Variation is often quantified using statistical measures such as variance, standard deviation, range, or coefficient of variation.

Verisimilitude

Having the semblance of truth; in research, it refers to the probability that the research findings are consistent with occurrences in "real world" situations.