Measurement of Variables:

Operational Definition
Overview
• To pinpoint the need to operationally define variables.
• To highlight the importance of identifying the dimensions, and
later during discussions of content validity, to reconnect the
dimensions of a concept to the establishment of its content
validity.

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Objectives
• After completing this unit, you should be able to:
• Explain how variables are measured.
• Explain when operationalization of variables is necessary
• Operationally define (or operationalize) abstract and subjective variables

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Contents
• How variables are measured
• Operational definition

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Measurement

• Measurement: the assignment of numbers or other symbols to

characteristics (or attributes) of objects according to a pre-
specified set of rules.

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 (Characteristics of) Objects
• Objects include persons, strategic business units, companies,
countries, kitchen appliances, restaurants, shampoo, yogurt and so
on.
• Examples of characteristics of objects are arousal seeking tendency,
achievement motivation, organizational effectiveness, shopping
enjoyment, length, weight, ethnic diversity, service quality,
conditioning effects and taste.

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Types of Variables

• Two types of variables:

• One lends itself to objective and precise
measurement;
• The other is more nebulous and does not
lend itself to accurate measurement
because of its abstract and subjective
nature.

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Operationalizing Concepts

• Operationalizing concepts: reduction of abstract concepts to

render them measurable in a tangible way.

• Operationalizing is done by looking at the behavioral dimensions,

facets, or properties denoted by the concept.

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Example

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Unit Summary
• You should now be able to:
• Explain how variables are measured.
• Explain when operationalization of variables is necessary
• Operationally define (or operationalize) abstract and subjective variables

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Question & Answers

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