Conceptualization Defining exactly what you mean in your research by a particular term How do you get from vague ideas that you have to actual measurement?

Nominal Definition a working definition defines the elements of the concept in question, and rules out all other things that it might be (for now) Example: Family Structure

Nominal Definition: Family Structure What are some of the initial problems? Why does size of the group studied matter here? Census data http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/questionnaires/2012/Quest12.pdf How does Regnerus handle it?

Operational Definition a definition which identifies observable indicators that measure the concept in question Marital status of biological parents, past and present “calendar data” – past and present Parent had same-sex relationship Actual questions?

Problems with this definition? Mutually exclusive? Valid? Reliable? What’s missing?

Lesbian Mother (N = 163) 91% lived with mother while in a relationship 57% lived with mother and partner +4 mo. 23% lived with mother and partner +3 yrs N = 37

Gay Father (N = 73) 42% lived with father while in a relationship 23% lived with father and partner +4 mo. 2% lived with father and partner +3 yrs N = 1

Child outcome variables Choose a dependent variable and discuss its nominal and operational definition. How does it relate to the IV? What is Regnerus’ argument about causality?