1. Efficiency
Efficiency is about doing something in the quickest and easiest way possible, using the least amount of resources like time or energy. It’s like taking the shortest route home to save time and gas. If you can finish your homework faster by staying focused and not getting distracted, you're being efficient.
Case Study: Making a Sandwich
Imagine you want to make a sandwich. If you gather all the ingredients in one trip to the kitchen, use the same knife to spread the butter and cut the sandwich, and clean up quickly, you’ve made your sandwich efficiently. You used the least amount of time and effort to get the sandwich ready.
2. Effectiveness
Effectiveness is about getting the result you want, regardless of how much time or effort it takes. It’s like making sure your sandwich is delicious and fills you up, even if it took a bit longer to prepare. The focus is on achieving your goal, not necessarily on how quickly you got there.
Case Study: Helping a Friend
Suppose your friend is sad, and your goal is to cheer them up. If you spend time talking to them, maybe even doing something fun together, and they feel better afterward, you've been effective. You achieved your goal of making your friend feel better, which is what matters most.
3. Efficacy
Efficacy is about how well something can work in perfect conditions. It’s like knowing that a certain recipe for a sandwich will always taste great if you follow it exactly. Efficacy is about the potential for success if everything goes according to plan.
Case Study: A Recipe Book
Think of a recipe book that promises a delicious sandwich if you follow the steps exactly. The recipe has high efficacy because it’s proven to work well in ideal conditions, like when you have all the right ingredients and tools. However, if you don’t have some ingredients or tools, the sandwich might not turn out as perfect, which is more about real-world effectiveness.