Operational Definition of Variables (Applicable for Quantitative/Mixed

Studies Only)
For quantitative studies identify the appropriate operational variables
and variable types (e.g. independent variable, predictor, dependent
variable, criterion, mediator, etc) for the study. Use terminology
appropriate for the selected statistical test. Identify each of the primary

constructs associated with the research question(s), and hypotheses.

Include a brief overview of how each will be operationally defined for
the proposed study. Operational definitions should be based on
published, validated, research and instruments (describe and
document how previous authors and/or the proposed instrument
operationally defined each variable construct. Note: Operational
Definitions are distinct from the Definition of Terms. WORD COUNT
800-1000]

Construct/Variable 1. Description/Operational Definition.

Describe each variable, the level of measurement of the variable (e.g.,
nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio), how each variable will vary (e.g., the
range of scores (1 – 5, 0 – 100) or levels (low, medium, high; male,
female) and the data sources (e.g., archival data, survey items, and, if
appropriate, how the specific scores (categories, etc.) used in the
analysis will be derived from the raw data such as summing or
averaging responses to survey items or assessments.. Review
the previous, established use of proposed instrument, the nature of
the variable data collected and analytics for examples.
Construct/Variable 1. Operationally define each variable (distinct from
Definition of Terms). Cite the sources of the operational definitions
accordingly and present operational definitions in complete sentences
using normal paragraph formatting. Next, identify the specific
instrument used to measure the variable and the level of
measurement (e.g., description of Likert-type scale) and include
sample items as appropriate. Describe each variable, the level of
measurement of the variable (e.g., nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio),
how each variable will vary (e.g., the range of scores (1 – 5, 0 – 100)
or levels (low, medium, high; male, female) and the data sources (e.g.,
archival data, survey items, and, if appropriate, how the specific
scores (categories, etc.) used in the analysis will be derived from the
raw data such as summing or averaging responses to survey items or
assessments.. Review the previous, established use of
proposed instrument, the nature of the variable data collected and
analytics for examples.

Data Collection and Analysis

[Text... include a detailed description of the data to be collected and
the processes and steps to be used in gathering the data, how the
data will be coded, and any software to be used. There must be
alignment between the data to be collected and the research
questions and/or hypotheses of the study (i.e. will the data collected
provide the information which is needed to answer the
RQs/Hypotheses). Describe the types of data to be collected, and how
the data will be coded, and what statistical analysis and software will
be used. Methods of triangulation should be discussed and detailed
for each area used for triangulation. How the data is to be collected
needs to be identified. Ensure there is a description of how the data
will be processed and analyzed (i.e. statistical tests, coding, etc.) for
each RQ, including software (e.g. SPSS, NVivo) used in the analysis.
The data analysis methods align with the Research Questions and/or
Hypotheses and the design of the study (i.e. will the results of the
analysis provide the evidence to answers to the RQs/Hypotheses).
For data analysis identify each of the primary constructs associated
with the proposed topic, problem, research question(s), and
hypotheses. Include a brief overview of how each will be operationally
defined for the proposed study. Describe the nature of each variable
(e.g. ordinal Likert type response scale ranging from 1 – 5) and how it
will be/was measured and collected. The nature of the data must be
consistent with and appropriate to the purpose, research design
and proposed statistical analyses. Use terminology associated with
the chosen statistical test (e.g., predictor and criterion variables for
regression). Ensure alignment in procedures, data collection, and
analysis to address all research questions in the study. Mappings of
instrumentation materials to the research questions are advised.
1. Quantitative: Describe the analysis strategy used to test each
hypothesis. The discussion must be sufficiently detailed so that the
appropriateness of the statistical tests chosen is evident (i.e., the
statistical tests are appropriate to respond to the hypotheses and the
variable constructs meet the assumptions of the statistical tests.
2. Qualitative: Describe how the data will be processed and analyzed
(including any efforts for triangulation). Provide primary qualitative
design support for the proposed analytical strategy. Explain the role of
the researcher.
3. Mixed Method: include all of the above.
[WORD COUNT 800-1000]

Data Collection from Nigerian Statistical Bulletin and World Bank Development
databases and submission of Data Collection Summary