PS295 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Operational Definition, Theoretical Definition, Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders
Lec 4: Generating Hypotheses
Operational Definitions:
-variables in research must be clearly defined
We can distinguish between two types of definitions
1) Conceptual definition: dictionary definition of a concept
-simply just what it means
2) Operational definition: how a concept (variable) is precisely measured or manipulated by the
researcher
-researcher decides how they evaluate this
Ex: Depression
Conceptual definition: state of low mood that often results in avoidance of social situations
Operational definitions: inability to hold down a job, person's self report of experience with
depression, physiological measures, DSM IV definition, evaluation by a therapist, days spent in
a hospital, biochemical measures etc
Two important considerations when operationally defining a variable:
1) Decide whether the variable will be measured or manipulated
-if manipulated, create different levels and decide how to expose participants to the
levels
-if measured, decide precisely how the levels of the variable will be measured
2) Determine who the research participants will be
Document Summary
We can distinguish between two types of definitions: conceptual definition: dictionary definition of a concept. Simply just what it means: operational definition: how a concept (variable) is precisely measured or manipulated by the researcher. Conceptual definition: state of low mood that often results in avoidance of social situations. Operational definitions: inability to hold down a job, person"s self report of experience with depression, physiological measures, dsm iv definition, evaluation by a therapist, days spent in a hospital, biochemical measures etc. Two important considerations when operationally defining a variable: decide whether the variable will be measured or manipulated. If manipulated, create different levels and decide how to expose participants to the levels. If measured, decide precisely how the levels of the variable will be measured: determine who the research participants will be. 3 different groups, 3 different levels of iv. Why is operationall defining variables so important: forces researchers to clarify their ideas, contributes to communication and public verification.
