Operational variables (or operationalizing definitions)
refer to how you will define and measure a specific variable as it is used in your study
. For example, if we are concerned with the effect of media violence on aggression, then we need to be very clear what we mean by the different terms.
How do you operationally define a variable?
Operationally defining a variable involves
taking an abstract construct like depression that cannot be directly observed and transforming it into something that can be directly observed and measured
.
What is an example of an operational definition?
a
description of something in terms of the operations (procedures, actions, or processes) by which it could be observed and measured
. For example, the operational definition of anxiety could be in terms of a test score, withdrawal from a situation, or activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
What is the operational definition of a variable quizlet?
STUDY. variable.
essentially anything that can change
: an event, situation, behaviour, or individual characteristic.
Which is the best example of an operational definition?
Which is the best example of an operational definition? An Operational Definition is the definition of a variable in terms of the operations or techniques used to measure or manipulate it. Examples: –
“Height” as defined by the number of feet/inches a person is tall.
What are the three elements of an operational definition?
Again, there are three parts to an operational definition:
criteria, test, and decision
.
What is a good operational definition?
An operational definition of a variable is the set of procedures used to measure or manipulate it. A good operational definition is
clear enough so that an independent researcher could use the same procedure (replicate the research) and get the same results.
What are the 3 types of variables?
These changing quantities are called variables. A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types. An experiment usually has three kinds of variables:
independent, dependent, and controlled
.
What is the operational definition of affection?
Operational definitions, such as the affection subscale of the Role Behavior Test (Foa & Foa, 1974),
focus on feeling liked and trusted
. Indeed, some studies have used scales such as Rubin’s (1970) liking and love scales as operational definitions of affection (e.g., Sprecher, 1987).
What is an operational definition in quantitative research?
► An operational definition is
how we (the
.
researcher) decide to measure our the variables
.
in our study
(variable = anything that can be measured). ◦ There are usually hundreds of ways to measure a DV (e.g. behavior).
What is an operational definition of the dependent variable?
The dependent variable is amount of energy. The operational definition is
the total score that people give on the survey
. … The dependent variable is level of personal privacy. The operational definition is the total number of times the person being interviewed prefers not to answer.
What is the purpose of operational definition?
An operational definition allows
the researchers to describe in a specific way what they mean when they use a certain term
. … Defining variables in this way allows other people to see if the research has validity. Validity here refers to if the researchers are actually measuring what they intended to measure.
What is the operational definition of a smile?
• Sample: – A smile will be defined by the following criteria: (1)
A person’s mouth curves upward
, (2) zygomatic major muscle and the orbicularis oculi muscles contract to reveal a squint and (3) the person’s lips are apart showing one or more teeth.
What is an example of an operational definition for anxiety?
For example, anxiety could be defined in dictionary terms as “a state of being uneasy, apprehensive, or worried.” An operational definition of the term could include observable measures such
as sweating palms (observable as sweat gland activity)
, increased heart rate (observable with heartbeat recording), dilated …
How do you write an operational definition in research?
- Identify the characteristic of interest. Identify the characteristic to be measured or the defect type of concern.
- Select the measuring instrument. …
- Describe the test method. …
- State the decision criteria. …
- Document the operational definition. …
- Test the operational definition.
Which of the following is an operational definition of intelligence?
Intelligence (in all cultures) is the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use our knowledge to adapt to new situations. … This tends to be “school smarts” and it
tends to be culture-specific
. This is the operational definition.
