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Chapter 5

Chapter 5. Conceptualization, Operationalization, and Measurement. Chapter Outline. Measuring Anything That Exists Conceptualization Definitions in Descriptive and Explanatory Studies Operationalization Choices Criteria of Measurement Quality. Conceptualization.

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Chapter 5

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  1. Chapter 5 Conceptualization, Operationalization, and Measurement

  2. Chapter Outline • Measuring Anything That Exists • Conceptualization • Definitions in Descriptive and Explanatory Studies • Operationalization Choices • Criteria of Measurement Quality

  3. Conceptualization • Process of specifying what we mean when we use particular terms. • Produces an agreed upon meaning for a concept for the purposes of research. • Describes the indicators we'll use to measure the concept and the different aspects of the concept.

  4. Definitions • Real - mistakes a construct for a real entity. • Nominal - assigned to a term without a claim that the definition represents a "real" entity. • Operational definitions - Specifies how a concept will be measured.

  5. From Concept to Measurement • Progression from sense of what a term means to measurement in a scientific study: • Conceptualization • Nominal Definition • Operational Definition • Measurements in the Real World

  6. Four Levels of Measurement • Nominal - offer names for labels for characteristics (gender, birthplace). • Ordinal - variables with attributes we can logically rank and order.

  7. Four Levels of Measurement • Interval - distances separating variables (temperature scale). • Ratio - attributes composing a variable are based on a true zero point (age).

  8. Kaplan’s Classes Things Scientists Measure • Direct observables - things that can be observed simply and directly. • Indirect observables - things that require more subtle observations. • Constructs - based on observations that can not be observed.

  9. Measurement Quality • Precision and accuracy • Reliability • Validity

  10. Tests for Checking Reliability • Test-retest method - take the same measurement more than once. • Split-half method - make more than one measurement of a social concept (prejudice). • Use established measures. • Check reliability of research-workers.

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