Social Research Glossary A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Home
Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2012-24, Social Research Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/socialresearch/
This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for additions or amendments.
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Linearity
Linearity describes the relationship between two (or more) variables when they tend to change at the same rate.
Diagrammatically, a graph of one variable against another will show that the points tend to fall in straight line.
A linear model is a type of theory in which one variable (the dependent variable) is postulated to be related to one or more other variables (the independent variables) in a simple direct proportion—a straight line relationship.
When the empirically derived variables are plotted against each other on a graph they may approximate a linear relationship and the regression line of best fit is the line fitted to the data points as closely as possible. This is usually a straight line fitted according to the least squares criterion. The line of best fit, then, relates the dependent variable to the independent variable(s) in the linear model. The relationship expressed in this line is used to derive values of the dependent variable corresponding to known values of the independent variable(s).
Kleitman (undated) explained the mathematical formulation:
A linear function, we have seen is a function whose graph lies on a straight line, and which can be described by giving its slope and its y intercept.
There is a special kind of linear function, which has a wonderful and important property that is often useful. These are linear functions whose y intercepts are 0 (for example functions like 3x or 5x). This means their graphs pass right through the origin, (the point with coordinates (0, 0)). Such functions are called homogeneous linear functions. They have the property that their values at any combination of two arguments is the same combination of their values at those arguments.
See also
Researching the Real World Section 8
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