Empirical ResearchEmpirical research is defined by the context of two separate types of study. Both methods are of value to the researcher in his/her quest for better understanding of the test subjects. However, correlational and experimental studies each has its own set of qualifications which allow for differences in subject and matter. Scientifically, some of these are useful, though others could be viewed as problematic. Correlational research is the process of studying the relationship between two variables. The examiner does not manipulate a relational study. Findings can either be positive, negative, or unrelated. Though scientific in the final statistical manner; the researcher uses his senses to observe and ultimately determine into which category a study falls. A positive correlation shows increases in both variables. Alternately, negative correlation looks at the increase in one variable, and the relation to the decrease in the other variable. There has to be an association between the two, or the result is unrelational. The scientific element to a correlational study is a measurable expression of degree defined as the correlational coefficient. It is a practical technique that gives a representation to the study. Numbers correspond with the level of correlation from a negative one demonstrating a perfect negative correlati

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.