Effectiveness
Encyclopedia
Effectiveness is the capability of producing a desired result. When something is deemed effective, it means it has an intended or expected outcome, or produces a deep, vivid impression.
, effective is sometimes used as a synonym of algorithmically computable
.
In physics
, an effective theory is, similar to a phenomenological
theory, a framework intended to explain certain (observed) effects without the claim that the theory correctly models the underlying (unobserved) processes.
In heat transfer
, effectiveness is a measure of the performance of a heat exchanger
when using the NTU method
.
In medicine
, effectiveness relates to how well a treatment works in practice, as opposed to efficacy
, which measures how well it works in clinical trial
s or laboratory studies.
In management
, effectiveness relates to getting the right things done. Peter Drucker
reminds us that effectiveness can and must be learned.”.
In human–computer interaction
, effectiveness is defined as “the accuracy and completeness of users’ tasks while using a system”.
, on the other hand, is the ability to produce a desired amount of the desired effect, or success in achieving a given goal. Contrary to the term efficiency
the focus of efficacy is the achievement as such, not the resources spent in achieving the desired effect. Therefore, what is effective is not necessarily efficacious, and what is efficacious is not necessarily efficient.
Other synonyms for effectiveness include: clout, capability, success, weight, performance.
Antynoms for effectiveness include: uselessness, ineffectiveness, unproductivity.
Another source of confusion regarding the term effectiveness is its relationship with the term affectiveness. Due to the similarity in the way these two words are spelled, they are often confused with each other and used incorrectly. The term affectiveness (noun) is derived from the root word affective (adjective) meaning concerned with arousing emotions or affection or relating to moods, attitudes or feelings.
Etymology
The origin of the word "effective" stems from the Latin word effectīvus, which means creative, productive or effective. It surfaced in Middle English between 1300-1400 A.D.Usage
In mathematicsMathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, effective is sometimes used as a synonym of algorithmically computable
Computable function
Computable functions are the basic objects of study in computability theory. Computable functions are the formalized analogue of the intuitive notion of algorithm. They are used to discuss computability without referring to any concrete model of computation such as Turing machines or register...
.
In physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, an effective theory is, similar to a phenomenological
Phenomenology (science)
The term phenomenology in science is used to describe a body of knowledge that relates empirical observations of phenomena to each other, in a way that is consistent with fundamental theory, but is not directly derived from theory. For example, we find the following definition in the Concise...
theory, a framework intended to explain certain (observed) effects without the claim that the theory correctly models the underlying (unobserved) processes.
In heat transfer
Heat transfer
Heat transfer is a discipline of thermal engineering that concerns the exchange of thermal energy from one physical system to another. Heat transfer is classified into various mechanisms, such as heat conduction, convection, thermal radiation, and phase-change transfer...
, effectiveness is a measure of the performance of a heat exchanger
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger is a piece of equipment built for efficient heat transfer from one medium to another. The media may be separated by a solid wall, so that they never mix, or they may be in direct contact...
when using the NTU method
NTU method
The Number of Transfer Units Method is used to calculate the rate of heat transfer in heat exchangers when there is insufficient information to calculate the Log-Mean Temperature Difference...
.
In medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, effectiveness relates to how well a treatment works in practice, as opposed to efficacy
Efficacy
Efficacy is the capacity to produce an effect. It has different specific meanings in different fields. In medicine, it is the ability of an intervention or drug to reproduce a desired effect in expert hands and under ideal circumstances.- Healthcare :...
, which measures how well it works in clinical trial
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
s or laboratory studies.
In management
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
, effectiveness relates to getting the right things done. Peter Drucker
Peter Drucker
Peter Ferdinand Drucker was an influential writer, management consultant, and self-described “social ecologist.”-Introduction:...
reminds us that effectiveness can and must be learned.”.
In human–computer interaction
Human–computer interaction
Human–computer Interaction is the study, planning, and design of the interaction between people and computers. It is often regarded as the intersection of computer science, behavioral sciences, design and several other fields of study...
, effectiveness is defined as “the accuracy and completeness of users’ tasks while using a system”.
Related terms
Efficacy, efficiency, and effectivity are terms that can, in some cases, be interchangeable with the term effective. The word effective is sometimes used in a quantitative way, "being very or not much effective". However, neither effectiveness, nor effectively, inform on the direction (positive or negative) and the comparison to a standard of the given effect. EfficacyEfficacy
Efficacy is the capacity to produce an effect. It has different specific meanings in different fields. In medicine, it is the ability of an intervention or drug to reproduce a desired effect in expert hands and under ideal circumstances.- Healthcare :...
, on the other hand, is the ability to produce a desired amount of the desired effect, or success in achieving a given goal. Contrary to the term efficiency
Efficiency
Efficiency in general describes the extent to which time or effort is well used for the intended task or purpose. It is often used with the specific purpose of relaying the capability of a specific application of effort to produce a specific outcome effectively with a minimum amount or quantity of...
the focus of efficacy is the achievement as such, not the resources spent in achieving the desired effect. Therefore, what is effective is not necessarily efficacious, and what is efficacious is not necessarily efficient.
Other synonyms for effectiveness include: clout, capability, success, weight, performance.
Antynoms for effectiveness include: uselessness, ineffectiveness, unproductivity.
Another source of confusion regarding the term effectiveness is its relationship with the term affectiveness. Due to the similarity in the way these two words are spelled, they are often confused with each other and used incorrectly. The term affectiveness (noun) is derived from the root word affective (adjective) meaning concerned with arousing emotions or affection or relating to moods, attitudes or feelings.