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

2. 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.

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. Operationalization Choices
Range of variation - to what extent are we willing to combine attributes in categories?
Variations between the extremes
Dimensions
Defining variables and attributes
Levels of measurement
Single or multiple indicators

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. Measurement Quality
Precision and accuracy
Reliability
Validity

9. 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.