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Conceptual Operational Definition

The document discusses conceptual and operational definitions in research. Conceptual definitions describe variables using concepts and words, while operational definitions indicate how variables are specifically measured or manipulated in an experiment. Operational definitions are essential for testing hypotheses because they specify the concrete operations used to represent variables, avoiding ambiguity about how variables are defined and measured across studies. The document provides examples of conceptual versus operational definitions for variables like self-concept, intelligence, and socioeconomic status.

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114 views7 pages

Conceptual Operational Definition

The document discusses conceptual and operational definitions in research. Conceptual definitions describe variables using concepts and words, while operational definitions indicate how variables are specifically measured or manipulated in an experiment. Operational definitions are essential for testing hypotheses because they specify the concrete operations used to represent variables, avoiding ambiguity about how variables are defined and measured across studies. The document provides examples of conceptual versus operational definitions for variables like self-concept, intelligence, and socioeconomic status.

Uploaded by

kunjuvavu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Conceptual and Operational

Definitions
The better defined a variable is the better
it communicates the researcher’s intent
and enhances the usefulness of the results
There are two types of definitions
commonly used in research:
Conceptual
Operational.
Conceptual Definition
• A conceptual definition uses words and concepts to describe a
variable (as in a dictionary).

• Example: ATTITUDE - may be defined


conceptually as “a predisposition to respond
favorably or unfavorably toward a person,
object, or event…”
• They are important in conveying what is
being investigated but do not indicate
precisely what the variable means...
Operational Definition
• An operational definition indicates how the
concept is measured or manipulated….what
operations are preformed to measure or
manipulate the variable.

• It is essential to understand operational definitions


because researchers will use different ways of
measuring or manipulating the same variable...

• A variable must be operationalized in order test a


hypothesis.
Operational Definition

Socioeconomic Status High, Middle, Low

The attributes of “High,” “Middle,” and “Low” are


meaningless if we cannot describe the categories...
A subject classified as “High” in one study may be
“Middle” in another study.
Examples

Variable Conceptual Operational

Self-Concept Characteristics Scores on the


used to describe Coopersmith Self-
oneself. Esteem Inventory

Intelligence Ability to think Scores on the


abstractly Sanford-Binet
Examples

“There is a positive relationship


Hypothesis between self-esteem and creativity”

Operationalized Hypothesis
“There is a positive relationship between the scores
on the the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scale and the
scores on the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking.”
This statement indicates the
researcher has selected these
operational procedures as the most
valid for the two variables…
Multiple Variables
In some situations, it may become grammatically
unwieldy when dealing with several variables of a
problem statement.

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